May
Derived from the name of the month, likely referring to someone born or baptized in May.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 120,033 Americans carry the last name May. That puts it at #304 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 35.02 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the May surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
120K
1 in 2,856
Census rank
#304
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
35.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
103K
common in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 103,306 bearers of the surname May in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 35.02 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 304th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname May, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.5%. The next largest groups are Black (9.6%) and Hispanic (3.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of May
The surname May originated in England and has its roots in the Old English word "maeg" or "mæg," which meant "kinsman" or "blood relative." It was often used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone who was considered part of the family or clan.
In medieval times, surnames were adopted as a way to distinguish individuals within a community. The name May was likely derived from this Old English term, indicating a familial or kinship connection. It could have been given to someone who was closely associated with a particular family or group.
The name May appears in various historical records from the 13th century onwards. One notable mention is in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which document the names of landowners and tenants in different counties of England. This record includes individuals with the surname May, indicating the name's early use and presence in different regions of the country.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname May was John May, who was born around 1330 in Yorkshire, England. He was a prominent landowner and served as a member of the local council during the reign of Edward III.
Another notable figure was Sir Humphrey May, born in 1520 in Wiltshire, England. He was a respected military commander who served under Queen Elizabeth I and played a crucial role in the English campaigns against the Spanish Armada in 1588.
In the 17th century, Thomas May (1595-1650) was an English poet and historian who wrote extensively about the English Civil War. His works, such as "A History of the Parliament of England," provided valuable insights into the political turmoil of that era.
The surname May was also associated with several place names in England, such as May Hill in Gloucestershire and May Green in Shropshire. These place names may have influenced the adoption or spread of the surname in those regions.
Another prominent individual with the surname May was Joseph May (1760-1812), an English agriculturist and writer. He authored several influential works on farming and agricultural practices, contributing significantly to the advancement of agriculture during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Throughout its history, the surname May has been borne by numerous individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, military leaders, writers, and intellectuals. Its enduring presence in England serves as a testament to its deep-rooted origins and the significance of kinship and family ties in the development of surnames.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for May
Among Census respondents with the surname May, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.5%. The next largest groups are Black (9.6%) and Hispanic (3.0%).
The bar chart below shows how May bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the May surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White83.5%
- Black or African American9.6%
- Hispanic or Latino3.0%
- Two or more races1.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.2%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the May surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #304 | #304 | 0.0% |
| Count | 103,306 | 103,306 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 35.02 | 35.02 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of May bearers went from 103,306 to 103,306 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #304 to #304.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname May
FAQ
May surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name May?
The surname May holds position #304 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 120,033 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 35.02 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the May surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname May, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.5%. The next largest groups are Black (9.6%) and Hispanic (3.0%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.