Mayhew
A surname meaning “son of Matthew,” arriving through an old French form of the name.
The #3,908 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 33,984 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Mayhew is generally understood as an Anglo-French form of Matthew, ultimately from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning “gift of Yahweh” or “gift of God.” In medieval records it appears in forms such as Maheu, Mahieu, and Mayheu, which later developed into English Mayhew. Some 19th-century writers also treated it as a nickname or a corrupted spelling of Matthew, but the patronymic connection is the standard explanation.
History
The name appears in medieval English records in several spelling variants, showing how readily it shifted between French and English forms. By the 19th century it had established itself as an English surname, with related variants such as Mayo, Mayhow, and Mayho sometimes occurring in the same surname family lines. The surname has also been carried to North America through later migration.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Some early sources note that Cornwall’s Mayow families were once written as Mayhew, showing how closely related these surname forms could be in practice.
From the historical record
“(A.-Heb.) a form taken by Michael, q.v. MAYHEW, an A.-Fr. form of Matthew, q.v. Robert Mahe-n.—Hund. Rolls. The present day French forms are Maheu and Mahieu. MAYHOW for Mayhew, q.v. MAYKIN = May (q.v.) + the E. dim. suff -kin. MAYLE = Male, q.v.”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)