Surname Maine - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Maine: What does the surname Maine mean?
The surname Maine is of French origin and is believed to be derived from the medieval region of Maine in Northwestern France. The exact meaning of Maine is uncertain, however, it is thought to be derived from the Latin word "Magnus" which means "great." It was often used as a geographic surname for people who migrated from the region of Maine. There's also the possibility that it derived from a Celtic word, which means "rock", referencing the rocky terrain of the region. Besides these, this surname could have originated as a nickname or professional name. As with many surnames, the exact origin varies and could be tied to multiple sources.
Order DNA origin analysisMaine: Where does the name Maine come from?
The last name Maine is of French origin and is believed to be a locational surname. It pertains to the region of Maine in France, suggesting that the original bearers of the surname might have hailed from this area and then moved, adopting the region's name as a form of identification.
In the medieval era, when individuals migrated to new locations, they were often identified by their place of origin, which eventually became a hereditary surname passed down generations. Given this, it is believed that the surname Maine may have such locational roots.
In terms of its prevalence today, according to Forebears, Maine is most common in the United States, France, and Canada. Among English-speaking countries, the highest frequency of the surname Maine is found in the United States, with over 3,000 occurrences. In France, this surname is primarily concentrated in the department of Yvelines, although it is relatively common throughout the country. In Canada, Quebec records the highest number of people with the Maine surname. However, the surname’s distribution is relatively sparse, indicating that it is uncommon in most countries.
Variations of the surname Maine
The surname Maine, also seen as Main, refers to someone from the region of Maine in northwestern France. Variants of the surname include Mayne, Mane, and Mein. Early records of the name appear as De Maine, du Maine, and De Mayne in England and France.
In Scotland and Northern England, Maine can be a variant of the surname Mann. It can also be an Americanized version of non-English European surnames such as the German Mähne or the Dutch Myn or Meijne.
In some cases, Maine could be a habitational name derived from any of several places in France so called.
In the Jewish culture, Maine might be an Americanized form of one or more like-sounding Jewish surnames.
Other possible spelling variations could be Maines, Maynes or Mainis.
As surnames could often change over time due to different reasons such as anglicization, phonetic spellings and immigration events, the precise origins could be varied. Therefore, it is essential to trace back to original records to be certain of an individual's specific lineage and surname origin.
Famous people with the name Maine
- Aaron Maine: musician and songwriter known by his stage name, Porches
- Thom Maine: American actor
- LaKesha Maine: American professional boxer
- Jere Maine: Filipino actor
- Bob Maine: American singer-songwriter
- Allyn Maine: American professional basketball player
- Marcie Maine: Canadian actress and playwright
- Robert Maine: American fashion designer
- Ann Maine: Spanish actress
- Adrienne Maine: author, poet, and professor