Mays surname meaning
An English variant of Mayes/May, often from the pet form of Matthew or from the month-name May; also German Mais and Dutch short-Thomas forms.
Confidence: Disputed. More than one origin is plausible, or sources disagree. We show the conflict rather than pick a cute answer.
The short story
Mays is chiefly an English variant of Mayes, itself May with a genitival or later -s. May can be a pet form of Matthew, a personal name or nickname from the month of May, or—less often—other Middle English senses such as “kinsman.” German Mays may be a form of Mais, and Dutch Mays can shorten Thomas. Mayes and Mayse are close spellings. Parent’s name fits the Matthew-pet-form lead common in English-American explanations, but the month-name nickname and continental streams keep confidence disputed.
Also seen as: Mays, Mayes, May, Mayse, Mais
- Ancestry / DAFN entry for Mays (variant of Mayes; German Mais; Dutch Thomas short form)
- Ancestry / DAFN entry for Mayes / May (Matthew pet form; month of May; other senses)
- Names2020_LastNames_RaceHispanic_Top1000.xlsx (2020 Census)