English
The surname Mey 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 filius Maie is recorded in historical archives. The surmame was brought to America predominately by English immigrants. One of the first fore fathers to bring this name to America is that of a Francis May, a cabinet maker, who came to America aboard the London Packet; he settled in Philadelphia. This name is the two-hundredth and thirty-fifth most common surname in America.