The surname May is of English origin. It is a pet form of the given name Mathew. Mathew is the English form of the name of the Cristian evangelist and author of the first gospel in the New Testament; it is deived from the Hebrew name Matityahu, ‘gift of God’. The surname can also be derived from a nickname or given name from the month of May. The Middle English, Old French ‘mai’, Middle High German ‘meie’, from the Latin ‘Maius’, from ‘Maia’, a rather obscure goddess of fertility, whose name is derived from the same root as ‘maius’ larger and ‘maiestas’ greatness. This may have been bestowed on someone born or baptized in the month of May. It could also be given to someone possesd of a particularly sunny disposition, or who had some anecdotal connection with the month of May, such as owing a feudal obligation then. The surname can also be derived from the English nickname from the Middle English ‘may’, signifieing young man or woman; it is of uncertain origin probably originally meaning kinsman or kinswoman. It can also be a Jewish ornamental name from the Hebrew ‘may’, lilac ( lily of the valley ). The name dates back to the twelfth century were a Johannes fili…
Coat of arms: Or, a fesse wavy between eight billets azu…