UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from the given name Máel Coluim, meaning "disciple of Saint Columba."
In the 1881 census there were 242 people recorded with the Malcom surname, ranking it #11,333 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 92, ranked #32,035, down from #11,333 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wick, Forfar and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Malcom is 758 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 62.0%.
1881 census count
242
Ranked #11,333
Modern count
92
2016, ranked #32,035
Peak year
1851
758 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Malcom surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Malcom surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 758 | #3,513 |
| 1861 | historical | 533 | #4,927 |
| 1881 | historical | 242 | #11,333 |
| 1891 | historical | 189 | #15,547 |
| 1901 | historical | 71 | #26,277 |
| 1911 | historical | 67 | #26,152 |
| 1997 | modern | 39 | #33,759 |
| 1998 | modern | 36 | #34,246 |
| 1999 | modern | 43 | #33,683 |
| 2000 | modern | 33 | #34,607 |
| 2001 | modern | 33 | #34,436 |
| 2002 | modern | 38 | #34,307 |
| 2003 | modern | 35 | #34,609 |
| 2004 | modern | 43 | #34,149 |
| 2005 | modern | 39 | #34,652 |
| 2006 | modern | 41 | #34,788 |
| 2007 | modern | 48 | #34,488 |
| 2008 | modern | 53 | #34,315 |
| 2009 | modern | 49 | #34,728 |
| 2010 | modern | 54 | #34,582 |
| 2011 | modern | 62 | #34,045 |
| 2012 | modern | 77 | #33,124 |
| 2013 | modern | 82 | #32,903 |
| 2014 | modern | 94 | #31,909 |
| 2015 | modern | 85 | #32,693 |
| 2016 | modern | 92 | #32,035 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wick, Forfar, Govan Combination, West Kilbride and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wick | Caithness |
| 2 | Forfar | Forfar |
| 3 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 4 | West Kilbride | Ayr |
| 5 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Malcom surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Malcom, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Malcom surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Malcom household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Malcom is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Malcom is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Malcom, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MALCOM originates from Scotland, and dates back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Maldóm", which means "disciple" or "follower". The name was originally "Malcolme" and was used as a personal name before becoming a hereditary surname.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname MALCOM can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which lists names of Scottish landowners and gentry who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appears as "Malcolme de Stragrif".
Another early reference to the surname MALCOM is in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from the 14th century, which mention a "Malcolm de Dryburgh" in 1328.
The MALCOM name has connections to various places in Scotland, such as the village of Malcom in Fife, which was likely named after an early bearer of the surname.
One notable bearer of the MALCOM surname was Sir John Malcom (c.1300-1362), a Scottish knight and landowner who fought in the Wars of Scottish Independence under King Robert the Bruce.
Another prominent individual with the MALCOM surname was Sir Michael Malcom (c.1450-1505), a Scottish nobleman and Lord of Balbedie, who served as a diplomat and ambassador for King James IV.
In the 16th century, there was a notable family of MALCOMs in Perthshire, including David Malcom (c.1530-1598), who was a prominent landowner and Provost of Perth.
In the 17th century, John Malcom (1619-1674) was a Scottish Presbyterian minister and theologian who played a significant role in the religious and political turmoil of that era.
Another notable bearer of the MALCOM surname was Sir John Malcom (1769-1833), a British soldier, diplomat, and historian who served as Governor of Bombay and authored several works on the history and culture of India.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Malcom surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Angus leads with 52 Malcoms recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.88x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Angus | 52 | 23.88x |
| Ayrshire | 23 | 13.07x |
| Aberdeenshire | 20 | 9.19x |
| Midlothian | 20 | 6.35x |
| Perthshire | 18 | 17.06x |
| Renfrewshire | 12 | 6.59x |
| East Lothian | 10 | 32.11x |
| Northumberland | 10 | 2.86x |
| Clackmannanshire | 9 | 46.37x |
| Surrey | 9 | 0.79x |
| Kincardineshire | 8 | 27.94x |
| Fife | 7 | 5.03x |
| Lanarkshire | 6 | 0.79x |
| Derbyshire | 5 | 1.36x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.18x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 0.21x |
| Stirlingshire | 5 | 5.77x |
| Buteshire | 4 | 28.09x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 0.58x |
| Caithness | 2 | 6.21x |
| Isle of Man | 2 | 4.58x |
| West Lothian | 2 | 5.65x |
| Argyllshire | 1 | 1.53x |
| Banffshire | 1 | 2.05x |
| Channel Islands | 1 | 1.44x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 0.62x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dundee in Angus leads with 34 Malcoms recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.82x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Malcom surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Malcom surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Malcom households.
FAQ
In 1881, 242 people were recorded with the Malcom surname. That placed it at #11,333 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 92 in 2016. That gives Malcom a modern rank of #32,035.
A Scottish surname derived from the given name Máel Coluim, meaning "disciple of Saint Columba."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Malcom bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.