NameCensus.

UK surname

Mala

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "attained" or "reached a high point".

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Mala surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 190, ranked #20,262, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Chorley, Rossendale and Tower Hamlets.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mala is 190 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18900.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

190

2016, ranked #20,262

Peak year

2016

190 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mala had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 190 in 2016, ranked #20,262.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 34 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Mala surname distribution map

The map shows where the Mala surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Mala surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mala over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 3 #32,890
1861 historical 34 #29,685
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 103 #26,498
1998 modern 100 #27,619
1999 modern 110 #26,315
2000 modern 108 #26,549
2001 modern 110 #25,900
2002 modern 124 #24,616
2003 modern 116 #25,415
2004 modern 126 #24,335
2005 modern 138 #22,999
2006 modern 137 #23,270
2007 modern 141 #23,137
2008 modern 144 #23,037
2009 modern 164 #21,628
2010 modern 169 #21,652
2011 modern 164 #21,900
2012 modern 164 #21,883
2013 modern 174 #21,401
2014 modern 178 #21,259
2015 modern 180 #20,997
2016 modern 190 #20,262

Geography

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Where Malas are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Chorley, Rossendale, Tower Hamlets, Bolton and Newham. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Chorley 009 Chorley
2 Rossendale 002 Rossendale
3 Tower Hamlets 019 Tower Hamlets
4 Bolton 021 Bolton
5 Newham 022 Newham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mala

These lists show first names that appear often with the Mala surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mala

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mala, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Mala surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Mala household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Challenged Inner London Communities

Within London, Mala is most associated with areas classed as Challenged Inner London Communities, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Resident in some of Inner London’s most over-crowded communities, many families have children and marriage/civil partnership rates are above the Supergroup average. Other adults such as students live in communal establishments. Few residents have Level 4 educational qualifications, levels of unemployment are above the Supergroup average, and employment is concentrated in service occupations such as distribution, hotels and restaurants. Relative to the Supergroup average, fewer residents identify as being of mixed/multiple ethnicities, Black or Other Asian.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mala is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mala falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mala is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Mala, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mala

The surname Mala has its origins in India, specifically in the northern regions of the subcontinent. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "mala," which means "garland" or "necklace." In ancient India, garlands held significant cultural and religious importance, often used in ceremonies and festivities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mala can be found in the Puranic texts, which are ancient Hindu scriptures dating back to the 4th century CE. These texts mention individuals bearing the name Mala, suggesting that the surname has a long and deeply rooted history in the Indian subcontinent.

During the medieval period, the Mala surname was prevalent among various Hindu communities, particularly in the regions of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. The name was often associated with individuals involved in the production or trading of garlands, as well as those who held positions of prominence in religious or cultural spheres.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the name Mala was Mala Devi, a queen consort of the Mughal Empire. She was married to Emperor Akbar and played a significant role in the court's cultural and artistic endeavors.

Another prominent individual with the surname Mala was Mala Singh, a renowned warrior and military leader from Rajasthan in the 18th century. He fought valiantly against the Maratha Empire and was instrumental in defending his homeland.

During the British colonial era in India, the Mala surname was recorded in various administrative documents and records, further solidifying its historical presence in the region.

In the 20th century, Mala Sinha, an acclaimed Indian actress and dancer, graced the silver screen with her exceptional talents. Born in 1936, she left an indelible mark on the Indian film industry with her performances in numerous critically acclaimed movies.

Another notable figure was Mala Sen, a celebrated Indian writer and novelist who was born in 1947. Her literary works, which often explored themes of identity, feminism, and societal norms, have garnered widespread acclaim and recognition.

It is worth mentioning that the Mala surname has also been found in regions outside of India, such as Nepal and Bangladesh, likely due to migration patterns and cultural exchanges throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mala families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mala surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 1 Malas recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Marylebone London in Middlesex leads with 1 Malas recorded in 1881 and an index of 196.08x.

Place Total Index
St Marylebone London 1 196.08x

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mala surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Joseph 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Mala households.

Occupation Count
Hair Dresser 1

FAQ

Mala surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mala surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Mala surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mala surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 190 in 2016. That gives Mala a modern rank of #20,262.

What does the Mala surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "attained" or "reached a high point".

What does the Mala map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mala bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.