NameCensus.

UK surname

Mai

A Vietnamese surname derived from the Chinese surname Mai, meaning "apricot" or "plum."

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Mai surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 317, ranked #14,198, up from #33,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bexley, Stoke-on-Trent and Merton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mai is 317 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10466.7%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

317

2016, ranked #14,198

Peak year

2016

317 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mai had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 317 in 2016, ranked #14,198.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Mai surname distribution map

The map shows where the Mai surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Mai surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mai over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1997 modern 116 #24,688
1998 modern 142 #22,406
1999 modern 135 #23,279
2000 modern 129 #23,901
2001 modern 131 #23,343
2002 modern 152 #21,723
2003 modern 141 #22,549
2004 modern 154 #21,432
2005 modern 164 #20,552
2006 modern 176 #19,787
2007 modern 187 #19,271
2008 modern 194 #19,011
2009 modern 194 #19,398
2010 modern 208 #18,956
2011 modern 218 #18,206
2012 modern 243 #16,839
2013 modern 274 #15,764
2014 modern 286 #15,378
2015 modern 291 #15,078
2016 modern 317 #14,198

Geography

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Where Mais are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bexley, Stoke-on-Trent, Merton, Gretna and Croydon. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bexley 002 Bexley
2 Stoke-on-Trent 005 Stoke-on-Trent
3 Merton 009 Merton
4 Gretna Dumfries and Galloway
5 Croydon 003 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mai

These lists show first names that appear often with the Mai surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mai

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mai, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Mai surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Mai household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Mai is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mai is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mai falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mai is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Mai, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mai

The surname MAI is believed to have originated in Italy, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Latin word "majus," which means "greater" or "larger." This suggests that the name was originally used as a descriptive term for someone who was taller or more prominent in some way.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name MAI can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Cavensis, a collection of medieval documents from the Abbey of Cava in southern Italy. This manuscript, dating back to the late 12th century, mentions a certain "Petrus Mai" who was a landowner in the region.

In the 13th century, the name appears in various Italian city records, including those of Florence and Siena. For example, a merchant named "Giovanni Mai" is mentioned in the Florentine archives of 1268.

As the name spread throughout Italy, it also took on different spellings and variations, such as "Maio," "Maius," and "Majo." These variations were likely influenced by local dialects and pronunciation patterns.

One notable individual with the surname MAI was Girolamo Mai, an Italian scholar and cardinal who lived from 1782 to 1838. He is best known for his work in discovering and publishing lost works of classical literature, including fragments of Cicero's "De Re Publica" and portions of Plautus' comedies.

Another prominent figure was Angelo Mai, an Italian philologist and cardinal who lived from 1782 to 1854. He was a prolific scholar and editor, renowned for his work on uncovering and publishing ancient manuscripts, including previously unknown works by Cicero, Fronto, and others.

In the 19th century, the surname MAI also appeared in other parts of Europe, such as France and Germany. For example, a French artist named Charles Mai (1796-1866) gained recognition for his landscape paintings and etchings.

Moving into the 20th century, one notable individual with the surname MAI was Nguyen Xuan Mai, a Vietnamese military officer and politician who lived from 1892 to 1977. He played a significant role in the Vietnamese independence movement against French colonial rule.

Another notable figure was Walter Mai, a German aviator and engineer who lived from 1920 to 1945. He was instrumental in the development of the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet, one of the earliest rocket-powered fighter aircraft used during World War II.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mai families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mai surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Ayrshire leads with 1 Mais recorded in 1881 and an index of 45.66x.

County Total Index
Ayrshire 1 45.66x
Essex 1 17.33x
Lancashire 1 2.88x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Everton in Lancashire leads with 1 Mais recorded in 1881 and an index of 90.91x.

Place Total Index
Everton 1 90.91x
Largs 1 2000.00x
Prittlewell 1 1250.00x

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mai surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Carlo 1
Job 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Mai households.

Occupation Count
Boiler Maker 1
O Seaman 1

FAQ

Mai surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mai surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Mai surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mai surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 317 in 2016. That gives Mai a modern rank of #14,198.

What does the Mai surname mean?

A Vietnamese surname derived from the Chinese surname Mai, meaning "apricot" or "plum."

What does the Mai map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mai bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.