May Township was organized in 1893, and named for Morgan May, an English settler.

Minnesota State Highway 95 serves as a main route in the township.

The unincorporated communities of Arcola and Maple Island are both in May Township.

The township contains two properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1847 John and Martin Mower House and Arcola Mill Site and the 1922 Benjamin B. Sheffield House.

12.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.