Lemay

Lemay is a French surname of Norman origins, derived from the Old French word "le" meaning "the" and "maye" meaning "mother". The name is believed to have been a nickname or term of endearment used to refer to someone's mother.

Origins:

The surname Lemay originated in Normandy, France, and is believed to have been brought to England during the Norman Conquest of 1066. The first recorded instance of the name in England dates back to the 12th century.

Distribution:

The Lemay surname is relatively rare in England, with most occurrences found in regions with Norman influence, such as the southern counties. Over time, some bearers of the surname may have anglicised it to "May" or "Le May".

Notable Bearers:

  • Rosemary Lemay - British author known for her works on British folklore and mythology.
  • Sir William Lemay - 19th-century politician and philanthropist, known for his charitable endeavours in London.

References:

  • Hanks, Patrick, et al. The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press, 2016.
  • Reaney, P.H., and Wilson, R.M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Routledge, 1991.

There are approximately 300 people named Lemay in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around five in a million people in Britain are named Lemay.

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Anthony
  • Christopher
  • Connor
  • David
  • Derek
  • James
  • John
  • Malcolm
  • Mark
  • Moore
  • Peter
  • Philip
  • Terence

Female

  • Annie
  • Betty
  • Brigitte
  • Catherine
  • Deborah
  • Elizabeth
  • Jennifer
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Ruth
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.