May

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   Used to ask for or give permission.

   May I leave the room?

2. 2
   verb

   Used to say that something is possible.

   He may be lying about where he was.

3. 3
   verb

   Used to express a wish or hope.

   May you have a long and happy life.

The surname is converged from several origins: * As an English surname, from Middle English May, a pet form of Matthew (see Mayhew). * As an English, Dutch, German, Polish, and Jewish surname, from the name of the month. * Also as an English surname, occasionally a pet form of Mary or Margaret. * Also as an English surname, from the obsolete noun may (“kinsman”), from Old English maga (“son, relative”). * Also as an English surname, from obsolete Middle English mei (“physician”), a borrowing from Old English mege, from Latin medicus. See Mee. * As an Irish surname, Anglicized from Ó Miadhaigh…

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