Mayo (surname)

The surname Mayo has several possible origins, making it a polygenetic surname.

• Irish Origin: In Ireland, Mayo is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Maigh Eo, meaning "descendant of the plain of the yew trees". Maigh Eo is also the name of County Mayo in Ireland, indicating that many bearers of the surname likely originate from that region. This origin is topographical, referring to a geographical feature.

• English Origin: In England, Mayo can be a locational surname derived from several places called Mayo or Mayow. These place names are of uncertain origin, potentially derived from Old English words relating to a meadow or a watercourse. It can also be a pet form of the personal name Matthew.

• Spanish Origin: In Spain, Mayo is a topographic surname derived from the month of May (Spanish: mayo), likely referring to someone born in that month or who had some other connection to it, such as owning land associated with a May festival. It could also be a habitational name from a place named Mayo.

Distribution of the surname shows concentrations in Ireland, England, and the United States. The surname's spelling variations can include Mayoh, Maio, and Mayhew, among others, depending on the country and historical records. Genealogical research is necessary to determine the specific origin of a particular family bearing the name Mayo.