NameCensus.

UK surname

Mall

An occupational surname derived from Old English, referring to someone employed at a shopping mall or marketplace.

In the 1881 census there were 83 people recorded with the Mall surname, ranking it #21,808 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 693, ranked #7,768, up from #21,808 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Minster, Clifton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Blackburn with Darwen.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mall is 693 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 734.9%.

1881 census count

83

Ranked #21,808

Modern count

693

2016, ranked #7,768

Peak year

2016

693 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mall had 83 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,808 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 693 in 2016, ranked #7,768.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 401 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Mall surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mall surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mall 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 141 #13,507
1861 historical 401 #6,399
1881 historical 83 #21,808
1891 historical 216 #14,107
1901 historical 152 #17,916
1911 historical 139 #18,745
1997 modern 386 #11,295
1998 modern 398 #11,377
1999 modern 419 #11,055
2000 modern 424 #10,919
2001 modern 426 #10,697
2002 modern 475 #10,014
2003 modern 489 #9,646
2004 modern 509 #9,390
2005 modern 530 #9,054
2006 modern 559 #8,714
2007 modern 553 #8,870
2008 modern 570 #8,734
2009 modern 596 #8,640
2010 modern 643 #8,319
2011 modern 662 #8,039
2012 modern 659 #7,987
2013 modern 681 #7,908
2014 modern 690 #7,872
2015 modern 679 #7,904
2016 modern 693 #7,768

Geography

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Where Malls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Minster, Clifton, London parishes, Manchester and St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Blackburn with Darwen and Bristol. 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 Minster Kent
2 Clifton Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Birmingham 039 Birmingham
2 Birmingham 036 Birmingham
3 Wolverhampton 021 Wolverhampton
4 Blackburn with Darwen 006 Blackburn with Darwen
5 Bristol 037 Bristol, City of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mall

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mall

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Mall is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Mall 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

Mall falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mall 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Mall

The surname MALL is of English origin, with its earliest known records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "mall," which referred to a flat-topped hill or a bare ridge between two valleys.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname MALL can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire, a 13th-century census document, where it appears as "de la Mall." This suggests that the name initially referred to a person residing near or on such a geographical feature.

In the 14th century, the surname MALL appeared in various forms, such as "Atte Malle" and "de la Malle," reflecting the use of prepositions common in surnames during that period. These variations likely denoted a family's association with a specific location bearing the name "Mall."

One notable historical figure bearing the surname MALL was William de la Mall, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in Gloucestershire, England, during the late 13th century. Records indicate that he owned substantial property in the county and played a significant role in local affairs.

Another individual of note was John Mall, a yeoman farmer who lived in Somerset, England, in the 16th century. His name is mentioned in several church records and land deeds from that time, providing insights into the lives of ordinary people with the surname.

In the 17th century, the surname MALL gained prominence with the birth of Thomas Mall (1629-1693), a renowned English clergyman and author. He served as the rector of Navenby in Lincolnshire and wrote several influential religious works during his lifetime.

The 18th century saw the rise of Richard Mall (1720-1789), a successful merchant and philanthropist from Bristol, England. He amassed considerable wealth through his trading ventures and was known for his generous contributions to local charities and the establishment of educational institutions.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the significance of Sir Benjamin Mall (1834-1912), a British architect and civil engineer who left an indelible mark on the urban landscape of London. He was responsible for designing several iconic buildings, including the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Geographical Society's headquarters.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mall families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mall 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. Kent leads with 19 Malls recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.88x.

County Total Index
Kent 19 6.88x
Middlesex 19 2.35x
Warwickshire 16 7.84x
Hampshire 7 4.22x
Norfolk 4 3.21x
Surrey 4 1.01x
Lancashire 3 0.31x
Somerset 3 2.30x
Cheshire 1 0.56x
Fife 1 2.09x
Leicestershire 1 1.11x
Midlothian 1 0.92x
Royal Navy 1 10.36x
Staffordshire 1 0.37x
Suffolk 1 1.01x
Yorkshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 13 Malls recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.11x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 13 19.11x
Islington London 10 12.75x
Minster In Sheppey 7 152.84x
Chatham 6 78.95x
Carisbrooke 5 217.39x
Clapham 4 39.53x
Buckland In Dover 3 326.09x
Great Ryburgh 3 1578.95x
Deptford St Paul 2 9.39x
Glastonbury 2 188.68x
Tottenham 2 15.52x
Aston 1 1.78x
Bethnal Green London 1 2.84x
Bishops Waltham 1 144.93x
Bredbury 1 97.09x
Crail 1 204.08x
Edgbaston 1 15.80x
Hackney London 1 2.20x
Holdenhurst 1 22.99x
Kingswinford 1 10.08x
Levenshulme 1 101.01x
Lewisham 1 6.79x
Mildenhall 1 95.24x
Much Woolton 1 76.92x
Nuneaton 1 42.19x
Paddington London 1 3.36x
Rotherby 1 2500.00x
Royal Navy 1 12.12x
Scarborough 1 13.72x
Shadwell London 1 44.05x
Shoreditch London 1 2.85x
South Leith 1 8.20x
St Marylebone London 1 2.31x
St Pancras London 1 1.53x
Thetford St Mary 1 294.12x
Twerton 1 74.63x
West Derby 1 3.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 8
Elizabeth 4
Sarah 3
Annie 2
Lucy 2
Martha 2
Ada 1
Adnarne 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Helen 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Lavinia 1
Louisa 1
Maria 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 5
Henry 4
John 4
William 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Frederick 2
James 2
Mark 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Annia 1
Cornelius 1
Edward 1
G. 1
Herbert 1
Jerimiah 1
Michael 1
Patrick 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Mall surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mall surname in 1881?

In 1881, 83 people were recorded with the Mall surname. That placed it at #21,808 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mall surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 693 in 2016. That gives Mall a modern rank of #7,768.

What does the Mall surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from Old English, referring to someone employed at a shopping mall or marketplace.

What does the Mall map show?

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