Find out how popular the last name May is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named May.

May, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the May surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of May in America

May is the 304th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The May surname appeared 103,306 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 35 people would have the surname May.

We can also compare 2010 data for May to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name 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.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name May

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname May.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for May was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of May has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name May was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of May, please contact us.

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