Spelling variations of our family name include: Maheu, Mayeu, Mayheu, Maheust, Mayhew, Mahewe, Mahugh, Mayhugh, Mayhuys and many more.

First found in Normandy where the family could be found since ancient times, coming from the region of Mayeux.

Some of the first settlers of our family name or some of its variants were: René Maheu (Maheust) son of Zacharie Maheu (Maheust) dit Point-du-Jour of Mortagne-au-Perche, who came to North America shortly after marrying Marguerite Corriveau at La Rochelle, France in 1648.

Some noteworthy people of the name Maheu:

* René Gabriel Eugene Maheu, French professor of philosophy and the sixth Director-General of UNESCO

* Pierre-Émilien Maheu (b. 1914), Canadian Politician, Liberal member of Parliament (1960-1966), and Mayor of Black Lake (1952-1960)

* Shirley Maheu (b. 1931), Canadian politician, member of Parliament for Saint-Laurent, made a Canadian senator in 1996.