NameCensus.

UK surname

Malloch

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic words meaning "bald" or "tonsured".

In the 1881 census there were 425 people recorded with the Malloch surname, ranking it #7,634 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 404, ranked #11,793, down from #7,634 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Little Dunkeld and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Coupar Angus and Meigle, Oban North and Fintry.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Malloch is 501 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 4.9%.

1881 census count

425

Ranked #7,634

Modern count

404

2016, ranked #11,793

Peak year

1901

501 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Malloch had 425 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,634 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 404 in 2016, ranked #11,793.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 501 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Malloch surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Malloch surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Malloch 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 345 #6,823
1861 historical 387 #6,620
1881 historical 425 #7,634
1891 historical 463 #7,902
1901 historical 501 #8,045
1911 historical 25 #30,654
1997 modern 393 #11,144
1998 modern 402 #11,295
1999 modern 413 #11,180
2000 modern 410 #11,204
2001 modern 386 #11,509
2002 modern 388 #11,689
2003 modern 391 #11,441
2004 modern 398 #11,321
2005 modern 385 #11,512
2006 modern 383 #11,600
2007 modern 390 #11,596
2008 modern 396 #11,581
2009 modern 411 #11,480
2010 modern 418 #11,582
2011 modern 399 #11,882
2012 modern 398 #11,755
2013 modern 398 #11,967
2014 modern 407 #11,848
2015 modern 406 #11,781
2016 modern 404 #11,793

Geography

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Where Mallochs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Little Dunkeld, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Perth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Coupar Angus and Meigle, Oban North, Fintry, Pollok North and East and Selby. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Little Dunkeld Perth
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Perth Perth

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Coupar Angus and Meigle Perth and Kinross
2 Oban North Argyll and Bute
3 Fintry Dundee City
4 Pollok North and East Glasgow City
5 Selby 002 Selby

Forenames

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First names often paired with Malloch

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Malloch

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Malloch surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Malloch household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Malloch 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

Malloch is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Malloch falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Malloch 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Malloch

The surname Malloch has its origins in Scotland, where it first appeared in the 14th century. It is derived from the Gaelic words 'mala' meaning brow or brae, and 'loch' meaning lake or body of water. The name likely referred to someone who lived near a loch or lake situated on a hillside or brae.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1376, which mention a Robert Malloch. Variations of the spelling included Malloch, Mallach, and Mallauch. The name was primarily concentrated in the regions of Perthshire and Angus in eastern Scotland.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in the records of the Scottish Parliament, with a John Malloch being appointed as a messenger-at-arms in 1535. Another early reference is found in the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland in 1585, which mentions a William Malloch from the parish of Arbuthnott in Kincardineshire.

One of the earliest notable bearers of the name was David Malloch (1664-1734), a Scottish poet and writer who was also known by the pseudonym 'Malloch of Crieff'. He wrote several works, including the poem 'The Excursion' and a tragedy called 'Elvira'.

Another prominent figure was George Malloch (1786-1859), a Scottish surveyor and engraver who produced detailed maps of various counties in Scotland, including Perthshire and Kincardineshire. His work was highly regarded for its accuracy and precision.

In the 19th century, William Malloch (1815-1895) was a Scottish-born merchant and politician who served as a member of the New Zealand Parliament, representing the electorate of Waikouaiti from 1871 to 1875.

Robert Malloch (1868-1948), born in Scotland, was a notable American educator and author who served as the president of the University of Idaho from 1928 to 1937. He wrote several books on education and philosophy.

Douglas Malloch (1877-1938), also known as the 'Poet Lariat', was a American writer and poet from Michigan. He published numerous collections of poetry, including 'Tote-Road and Trail' and 'Decorated Highways', and his works often celebrated rural life and nature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Malloch families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Malloch 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. Perthshire leads with 156 Mallochs recorded in 1881 and an index of 83.84x.

County Total Index
Perthshire 156 83.84x
Angus 67 17.44x
Lanarkshire 64 4.77x
Renfrewshire 28 8.72x
Fife 26 10.59x
Dunbartonshire 24 21.54x
Midlothian 23 4.14x
Stirlingshire 16 10.46x
Middlesex 7 0.17x
Ayrshire 5 1.61x
Clackmannanshire 2 5.84x
Argyllshire 1 0.87x
Berwickshire 1 1.99x
Inverness-shire 1 0.81x
Lancashire 1 0.02x
Northumberland 1 0.16x
Rutland 1 3.29x
Warwickshire 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dundee in Angus leads with 45 Mallochs recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.39x.

Place Total Index
Dundee 45 31.39x
Govan 27 8.14x
Perth East Church 20 114.03x
Kenmore 18 810.81x
Muthill 18 740.74x
Abbey 15 30.60x
Little Dunkeld 15 474.68x
Perth West Church 15 169.88x
Liff Benvie 14 24.01x
Glasgow 13 5.46x
Perth St Pauls 12 278.42x
Abbotshall 10 109.05x
Barony 10 2.95x
Falkirk 10 27.94x
Cumbernauld 9 147.54x
Tibbermore 9 337.08x
Colinton 8 129.24x
Edinburgh St Johns 8 227.92x
New Kilpatrick 8 75.47x
Acton 7 28.81x
Cathcart 7 40.28x
Dunfermline 7 18.55x
East Kilbride 7 121.95x
Auchterarder 6 115.61x
Bonhill 6 33.56x
Largo 6 188.09x
Scone 6 181.27x
Ardoch 5 318.47x
Killin 5 274.73x
St Quivox 5 47.66x
Fintry 4 677.97x
Monifieth 4 29.48x
North Leith 4 15.56x
Alyth 3 59.88x
Auchtermuchty 3 90.91x
Biggar 3 99.01x
Blairgowrie 3 40.76x
Kinnoull 3 61.35x
Kirriemuir 3 31.65x
Paisley Low Church 3 29.50x
Campsie 2 23.84x
Crieff 2 28.90x
Dunblane 2 44.94x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 0.90x
Erskine 2 85.84x
Fortingall 2 84.03x
Methven 2 73.26x
Old Monkland 2 3.76x
Abernethy Kincardine 1 45.87x
Allesley 1 72.46x
Alloa 1 6.02x
Auchtergaven 1 32.05x
Blair Athole 1 40.32x
Bothwell 1 2.75x
Caputh 1 34.13x
Coldstream 1 27.55x
Cramond 1 23.75x
Dollar 1 28.17x
Dull 1 26.81x
Dunbarney 1 93.46x
East Greenock 1 3.30x
Glanton 1 140.85x
Glaston 1 322.58x
Kinnaird 1 270.27x
Kirkintilloch 1 6.61x
Lecropt 1 114.94x
Lochgoilhead 1 129.87x
Moneydie 1 294.12x
North Meols 1 2.08x
Perth Middle Church 1 14.29x
Port Of Monteith 1 59.88x
Rutherglen 1 5.08x
St Vigeans 1 4.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jessie 2
Barbara 1
Effie 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Isabella 1
Madge 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Andrew 1
John 1
William 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 Malloch households.

FAQ

Malloch surname: questions and answers

How common was the Malloch surname in 1881?

In 1881, 425 people were recorded with the Malloch surname. That placed it at #7,634 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Malloch surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 404 in 2016. That gives Malloch a modern rank of #11,793.

What does the Malloch surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic words meaning "bald" or "tonsured".

What does the Malloch map show?

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