NameCensus.

UK surname

Malak

An Arabic surname meaning "angel" or "messenger."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Peterborough, Hammersmith and Fulham and Ealing.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Malak is 160 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

143

2016, ranked #24,505

Peak year

2010

160 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 143 in 2016, ranked #24,505.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Malak surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Malak surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Malak 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1997 modern 58 #31,831
1998 modern 64 #31,562
1999 modern 67 #31,409
2000 modern 79 #30,249
2001 modern 73 #30,699
2002 modern 88 #29,534
2003 modern 96 #28,381
2004 modern 106 #27,045
2005 modern 121 #24,947
2006 modern 137 #23,270
2007 modern 142 #23,025
2008 modern 143 #23,160
2009 modern 143 #23,686
2010 modern 160 #22,487
2011 modern 154 #22,886
2012 modern 147 #23,567
2013 modern 147 #23,977
2014 modern 155 #23,333
2015 modern 148 #23,934
2016 modern 143 #24,505

Geography

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Where Malaks 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 Peterborough, Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing, Cambridge and Slough. 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 Peterborough 013 Peterborough
2 Hammersmith and Fulham 012 Hammersmith and Fulham
3 Ealing 007 Ealing
4 Cambridge 009 Cambridge
5 Slough 002 Slough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Malak

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Malak

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Malak, 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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Malak is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Malak 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

Malak 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 Malak 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Malak

The surname MALAK has its origins in the Middle East, specifically in countries like Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. It is derived from the Arabic word "malak," meaning "angel" or "messenger." This name can be traced back to the early medieval period, around the 7th century AD, when Arabic culture and language began to spread across the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname MALAK can be found in historical documents from the 10th century, where it was used to refer to individuals who held positions as messengers or envoys in various Islamic courts and governments. The name was often associated with those who served as intermediaries or conveyed important messages on behalf of rulers or authorities.

In the 12th century, the name MALAK appeared in several manuscripts and records from the Levant region, particularly in areas like Damascus and Jerusalem. During this period, it was not uncommon for individuals to adopt surnames based on their occupations or positions, which could explain the origins of this particular surname.

One notable figure bearing the surname MALAK was Ibrahim al-Malak (1143-1208), a prominent scholar and philosopher from Damascus. He was renowned for his contributions to the field of logic and his writings on Aristotelian philosophy.

Another historical figure was Khalil al-Malak (1587-1641), a renowned poet and writer from Lebanon. His works, which included poetry and literary criticism, were widely celebrated during his time and have been studied by scholars throughout the centuries.

In the 18th century, there are records of a family named MALAK residing in the village of Deir el-Qamar in modern-day Lebanon. This family produced several influential figures, including Mikhail MALAK (1743-1812), a prominent merchant and philanthropist who played a significant role in the economic and social development of the region.

In the 19th century, the MALAK surname gained recognition in Egypt, where several individuals bearing this name made notable contributions. One such figure was Boutros MALAK (1823-1897), a renowned educator and writer who advocated for educational reforms and the promotion of Arabic literature.

Another prominent individual was Yacoub MALAK (1855-1923), a respected lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Egyptian Legislative Assembly and was actively involved in the country's nationalist movements.

While the surname MALAK has its roots in the Middle East, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical significance remains firmly rooted in the cultural and linguistic traditions of the Arab world, where it has been a part of the tapestry of names for centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Malak surname: questions and answers

How common is the Malak surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 143 in 2016. That gives Malak a modern rank of #24,505.

What does the Malak surname mean?

An Arabic surname meaning "angel" or "messenger."

What does the Malak map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Malak 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.