UK surname
A surname derived from the French town of Malines or Mallion in Belgium.
In the 1881 census there were 95 people recorded with the Malon surname, ranking it #20,349 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 45, ranked #35,162, down from #20,349 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Edinburgh, Manchester and Dalton-le-Dale. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Malon is 165 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 52.6%.
1881 census count
95
Ranked #20,349
Modern count
45
2016, ranked #35,162
Peak year
1861
165 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Malon surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Malon surname density by area, 1891 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 | 51 | #24,096 |
| 1861 | historical | 165 | #14,112 |
| 1881 | historical | 95 | #20,349 |
| 1891 | historical | 123 | #20,939 |
| 1901 | historical | 63 | #27,134 |
| 1911 | historical | 23 | #30,923 |
| 1997 | modern | 26 | #35,135 |
| 1998 | modern | 24 | #35,488 |
| 1999 | modern | 28 | #35,127 |
| 2000 | modern | 25 | #35,382 |
| 2001 | modern | 26 | #35,152 |
| 2002 | modern | 24 | #35,520 |
| 2003 | modern | 24 | #35,552 |
| 2004 | modern | 23 | #35,786 |
| 2005 | modern | 24 | #35,827 |
| 2006 | modern | 26 | #35,822 |
| 2007 | modern | 29 | #35,725 |
| 2008 | modern | 35 | #35,441 |
| 2009 | modern | 36 | #35,496 |
| 2010 | modern | 42 | #35,294 |
| 2011 | modern | 40 | #35,395 |
| 2012 | modern | 45 | #35,105 |
| 2013 | modern | 42 | #35,325 |
| 2014 | modern | 40 | #35,454 |
| 2015 | modern | 44 | #35,212 |
| 2016 | modern | 45 | #35,162 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Edinburgh, Manchester, Dalton-le-Dale, Liverpool and Glasgow. 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 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Dalton-le-Dale | Durham |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Malon 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 Malon, 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 Malon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Malon 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, Malon 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 Malon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Malon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Malon originated in France during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "malon," which means "a poor person" or "a peasant." The name was likely given as a nickname or descriptive name to someone who was considered poor or of humble means.
Malon is a variant spelling of the more common French surname Maillol, which has a similar origin and meaning. Some early records show the name spelled as Mallon or Maloun, further indicating its French roots.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Malon can be found in the Livre des Métiers, a historical document from Paris dating back to the 13th century. This document listed the names of various tradesmen and craftsmen in the city, including a few individuals with the surname Malon.
In the 14th century, a man named Jean Malon was mentioned in the records of the village of Montreuil-sur-Mer in northern France. He was listed as a tenant farmer, which aligns with the humble origins suggested by the name's meaning.
During the 16th century, a notable figure named Pierre Malon (1515-1588) was a French Catholic theologian and professor at the University of Paris. He wrote several works on religious subjects and was involved in the theological debates of his time.
Another historical figure with the surname Malon was François Malon (1600-1678), a French soldier and diplomat who served under King Louis XIV. He was involved in various military campaigns and played a role in negotiating treaties and alliances.
In the 18th century, a man named Jacques Malon (1720-1785) was a prominent merchant and trader in the city of Lyon, France. He was known for his successful business ventures and contributions to the local economy.
As the surname spread beyond France, it also appeared in other European countries and regions. For example, in the 19th century, a German author named Paul Malon (1830-1901) wrote several novels and works of poetry.
Overall, the surname Malon has a rich history rooted in the French language and culture, with its origins dating back to medieval times. Despite its humble beginnings, the name has been associated with various notable individuals throughout history, including scholars, soldiers, and merchants.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Malon 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. Durham leads with 19 Malons recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.89x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 19 | 6.89x |
| Lanarkshire | 19 | 6.34x |
| Yorkshire | 19 | 2.07x |
| Lancashire | 12 | 1.09x |
| Renfrewshire | 5 | 6.96x |
| Ayrshire | 4 | 5.77x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 0.43x |
| Angus | 2 | 2.33x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 0.98x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.69x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.55x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.32x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.81x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 1.15x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.73x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 2.40x |
| Stirlingshire | 1 | 2.93x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.22x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 9 Malons recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.36x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds | 9 | 17.36x |
| Dawdon | 7 | 206.49x |
| Gateshead | 6 | 29.07x |
| Glasgow | 6 | 11.27x |
| Heworth | 6 | 110.50x |
| Manningham | 6 | 53.05x |
| Blantyre | 5 | 160.26x |
| West Greenock | 5 | 38.79x |
| Bothwell | 4 | 49.20x |
| Coylton | 4 | 408.16x |
| Barony | 2 | 2.64x |
| Dundee | 2 | 6.24x |
| Govan | 2 | 2.70x |
| Kirkdale | 2 | 10.81x |
| Sheffield | 2 | 6.84x |
| Toxteth Park | 2 | 5.37x |
| Tyldesley Cum Shakerley | 2 | 63.09x |
| West Derby | 2 | 6.22x |
| Barking | 1 | 18.69x |
| Brereton Cum Smethwick | 1 | 526.32x |
| Chobham | 1 | 125.00x |
| Cliffe | 1 | 140.85x |
| Dalkeith | 1 | 40.82x |
| Daventry | 1 | 81.30x |
| Derby St Peter | 1 | 21.65x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 1.92x |
| Haydon | 1 | 133.33x |
| Macclesfield | 1 | 11.00x |
| Manchester | 1 | 2.02x |
| Methven | 1 | 163.93x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 8.36x |
| Oldham | 1 | 2.82x |
| Potter Newton | 1 | 61.73x |
| Slamannan | 1 | 53.48x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 8.26x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.34x |
| Tonge | 1 | 43.29x |
| Westminster St | 1 | 29.24x |
| Widnes | 1 | 12.61x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Malon 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 Malon 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 Malon households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 12 |
| Gen Lab | 3 |
| Annuitant | 2 |
| Domestic Servant | 2 |
| (Alkali Manuf) | 1 |
| Auctioneer | 1 |
| Builder & Contractor | 1 |
| Carter | 1 |
| Chemical Laborer | 1 |
| Chemical Labourer | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Farm Servant (In Door) | 1 |
| General (Domestic Servant) | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Generall Lab | 1 |
| Glassmaker | 1 |
| Labourer At Dock | 1 |
| Labourer In Ironworks | 1 |
| O Seaman | 1 |
| Plasterer App | 1 |
| Plasterers Labourer | 1 |
| Servant Housekeeper | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Smith | 1 |
| Stoker Engine (22.2) | 1 |
| Stone Mason | 1 |
| Winder Cotton Mill | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 95 people were recorded with the Malon surname. That placed it at #20,349 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 45 in 2016. That gives Malon a modern rank of #35,162.
A surname derived from the French town of Malines or Mallion in Belgium.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Malon 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.