NameCensus.

UK surname

Malan

A French occupational surname referring to a farmer or someone who worked with a mall, or mallet.

In the 1881 census there were 44 people recorded with the Malan surname, ranking it #27,447 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 157, ranked #23,006, up from #27,447 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Middlesbrough, Bedford and Chichester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Malan is 158 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 256.8%.

1881 census count

44

Ranked #27,447

Modern count

157

2016, ranked #23,006

Peak year

2014

158 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Malan had 44 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,447 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 157 in 2016, ranked #23,006.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 78 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Malan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Malan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Malan 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 36 #26,838
1861 historical 62 #26,041
1881 historical 44 #27,447
1891 historical 32 #31,754
1901 historical 78 #25,500
1911 historical 47 #28,110
1997 modern 55 #32,114
1998 modern 57 #32,226
1999 modern 77 #30,427
2000 modern 89 #29,173
2001 modern 90 #28,793
2002 modern 98 #28,243
2003 modern 88 #29,506
2004 modern 95 #28,746
2005 modern 103 #27,531
2006 modern 120 #25,269
2007 modern 131 #24,282
2008 modern 134 #24,249
2009 modern 136 #24,485
2010 modern 142 #24,352
2011 modern 137 #24,716
2012 modern 156 #22,645
2013 modern 154 #23,210
2014 modern 158 #23,022
2015 modern 150 #23,718
2016 modern 157 #23,006

Geography

Back to top

Where Malans 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 Middlesbrough, Bedford, Chichester and Sevenoaks. 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 Middlesbrough 020 Middlesbrough
2 Bedford 009 Bedford
3 Chichester 012 Chichester
4 Sevenoaks 009 Sevenoaks
5 Sevenoaks 011 Sevenoaks

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Malan

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Malan

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Malan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Malan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Malan is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Malan 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

Malan falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Malan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Malan

The surname Malan has its origins in France, specifically in the region of Normandy. It dates back to the Middle Ages, around the 11th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Old French word "malin," which means "ill-natured" or "wicked." It may have been initially used as a nickname for someone with a mischievous or cunning personality.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Malan can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Malanus," indicating its Norman origins.

During the Middle Ages, the name Malan was commonly found in Normandy and surrounding areas. It is worth noting that the name may also have been influenced by the Old English word "malan," meaning "to grind" or "to mill," suggesting a possible connection to occupations related to milling or grinding grain.

As the centuries passed, the name spread across Europe, particularly in France and parts of the British Isles. One notable individual with the surname Malan was Jacques Malan (1519-1597), a French Protestant theologian and pastor who played a significant role in the Reformation movement.

In the 17th century, the name Malan gained prominence in the Netherlands with the birth of Cesar Malan (1619-1686), a Dutch Golden Age painter known for his portraiture and genre scenes. Another notable figure was Solomon César Malan (1812-1894), a Swiss-born Anglican clergyman and author who made significant contributions to the field of biblical translation and interpretation.

The 19th century saw the birth of Robert Malan (1810-1886), a British Conservative politician and member of parliament for the borough of Greenock. He was a prominent figure in the campaign for the abolition of the slave trade.

In the world of literature, Louis Malan (1835-1905), a Swiss writer and poet, gained recognition for his works that celebrated the beauty of the Alps and Swiss landscapes.

Despite its French origins, the surname Malan has been found in various parts of the world, likely due to migration and settlement patterns over the centuries. While the name may have evolved in spelling or pronunciation in different regions, its roots can be traced back to the medieval period in Normandy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Malan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Malan 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. Surrey leads with 10 Malans recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.78x.

County Total Index
Surrey 10 4.78x
Middlesex 8 1.86x
Monmouthshire 7 22.57x
Lincolnshire 4 5.83x
Cornwall 3 6.18x
Dorset 2 7.10x
Hampshire 2 2.27x
Midlothian 2 3.48x
Angus 1 2.52x
Cheshire 1 1.06x
Devon 1 1.12x
Gloucestershire 1 1.19x
Lancashire 1 0.20x
Warwickshire 1 0.92x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wimbledon in Surrey leads with 8 Malans recorded in 1881 and an index of 340.43x.

Place Total Index
Wimbledon 8 340.43x
Trevethin 7 238.91x
St Anne Soho London 6 244.90x
Great Grimsby 4 91.74x
Perranarworthal 3 1875.00x
Broadwinsor 2 1111.11x
Christchurch 2 104.71x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 8.65x
Ashley 1 1666.67x
Birmingham 1 2.77x
Cheam 1 454.55x
Clifton 1 23.47x
Dundee 1 6.74x
Hornsey 1 18.42x
Kensington London 1 4.19x
Stoke 1 101.01x
Stoke Damerel 1 16.00x
Warrington 1 16.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Fanny 3
Caroline 2
Emma 2
Mary 2
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Annette 1
Christine 1
Edith 1
Evelin 1
Fredrica 1
Jane 1
Julia 1
Liugia 1
Rosenia 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Malan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Malan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 44 people were recorded with the Malan surname. That placed it at #27,447 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Malan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 157 in 2016. That gives Malan a modern rank of #23,006.

What does the Malan surname mean?

A French occupational surname referring to a farmer or someone who worked with a mall, or mallet.

What does the Malan map show?

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