Mase

While transcribing some of my mother's notes in the family Bible, I noticed that great grandfather spelled his name "Mase." My grandfather spelled his name, "Mays." That branch of the family tree originated in upstate New York and I'm not sure how my grandfather came to live in Missouri. But why the name change? Religious or ethnic angle? Was he on the lamb? Never heard a word about this growing up. Wonder if there's a good story behind the change. I really don't want to get hooked on the family tree thing but this is kind of interesting.