Surname Maybee - Meaning and Origin

Maybee: What does the surname Maybee mean?

The surname Maybee is a derivative of the Old French name Mabé, which itself is derived from the personal name Mabon. Mabon is an ancient Celtic name derived from "Maponus," a god in the Romano-British pantheon who was worshiped predominantly in Northwestern Gaul and Britain. Maponus was associated with music and youth; his name means 'son' or 'divine son'. Therefore, the surname Maybee can be indirectly associated with these qualities. It is a relatively rare surname and has variants such as Mabey, Maby, and Maybey. Surnames often evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, and personal characteristics. However, the exact meaning of the surname Maybee can vary and be influenced by the individual family's history and lineage. Please note that last names can be subjected to many alterations in spelling due to regional languages and dialects over centuries.

Maybee: Where does the name Maybee come from?

The surname Maybee is believed to have Dutch origins. It first emerged in the province of Groningen, where the Maybee family held a family seat as lords of the estate. The name may have been derived from the Dutch name "Mabbe," or it could be from "Maybe" or "Maybey," variations that have been recorded in English church records from the late 16th century.

The Maybee family began to emigrate to North America in the 17th and 18th centuries. Therefore, today, the surname is most commonly found in Canada and the United States. In the United States, it is more frequently found in the state of New York, possibly reflecting the Dutch colonial history of the region. The 1920 US Census recorded the highest number of Maybee's in Michigan, indicating a westward shift of the family within the country. Meanwhile, in Canada, the surname is quite prevalent in the province of Ontario.

Variations of the surname Maybee

The surname Maybee is believed to be of English or Dutch origin. Variations on the spelling of the surname Maybee can include Mabee, Mabey, Mabie, Mabye, Mabees, Mabies, and Mobey. Some other variations could include Maybe, Maybeigh, and Maybey. These variant spellings often occurred based on phonetic spelling in different regions.

In Dutch origin names, 'bee' or 'bie' suffix often implies a place of residence, while 'mab' could be a contraction of 'Matthew' or 'maiden'. Therefore, the surname Maybee could hint towards a geographical connection or possibly a diminutive form of a given name. Migration over the years has led to the spread of the surname and its variants across different continents like Europe, North America, and Australia.

However, it's important to note that while variations exist, they do not always imply direct relations between families bearing those surnames. Similarly spelled surnames might coincide without any direct familial linkage due to phonetic congruency and common origins in language. Hence, genealogical verification would be necessary to establish connections between different lineages bearing these surnames.

Famous people with the name Maybee

• Joël Maybee: Canadian professional basketball player with the BC Tel Virtue of the National Basketball League of Canada.
• Lacey Maybee: Former professional basketball player who won a WNBA championship with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001.
• Thomas R. Maybee: Retired American attorney and political candidate, who ran unsuccessfully for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District in 1996.
• Bart Maybee: Academy Award-winning screenwriter for the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire.
• Ryan Maybee: Former lead vocalist of the band maybee, who made music ranging from rock to country.
• Ray Maybee: Former competitive runner, who raced in the 3,000 metres at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games.
• Daryl Maybee: Canadian cartoon artist best known for his work on the Marvel Comics title G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero from 1989-2011.
• Bryan Maybee: Professional arcade gamer best known as a 3-time world champion of NBA Jam arcade game.
• Cheyenne Maybee: American competitive figure skater who has won the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships in 2015 and 2016.
• Craysen Maybee: MLB prospect with the Milwaukee Brewers organization who was drafted in the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft.

Other surnames

MaybeMayberryMayberthMayberyMaybey