The Malcolm surname

In the 2010 U.S. Census, 10,618 people carried this name — #3,364 among all U.S. surnames, about 1 in every 27,800 people counted. That is up 10% from 9,643 in 2000.

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What the name means

The meaning of the Malcolm surname

As a surname in the United Kingdom

Harrison classes it as a Celtic name: ‘(Shaven) Servant or Disciple of St. Columba’.

From the Gaelic mael, “shaven one, monk”, and Coluim, “of Columba”.

From Henry Harrison, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary, vol. II (London: The Morland Press, 1918), p. 10 · public domain.

In Ireland’s birth registers, 1890

Ireland registered 10 births for the Malcolm name in 1890.

Most were registered in Ulster. By the Registrar-General’s own method — births multiplied by 44.38 — that is about 400 people bearing the name in Ireland at the time. The Registrar-General’s note on the name: “Antrim.”

Too few records to say where it concentrates region by region — these are plain counts, not shares.

Where they were born, 1890

Ulster 8
Leinster 2

Registrar-General for Ireland, «Special Report on Surnames in Ireland» (R. E. Matheson, 1894), births index of 1890 — public domain.

In Argentina’s national register

At least 78 people named Malcolm live in Argentina.

RENAPER only publishes a name in a province when more than ten people there share it, so the real number is higher. Most of them live in Buenos Aires Province.

Too few records to say where it concentrates region by region — these are plain counts, not shares.

Where they live today

Buenos Aires Province 50
City of Buenos Aires 15
Córdoba 13

RENAPER (National Registry of Persons, Argentina), surnames of residents by province, December 2021 — CC BY 4.0.

In Switzerland’s population statistics

27 people named Malcolm live in Switzerland.

They live in 3 of Switzerland’s 26 cantons, most of all in Zurich.

Too few records to say where it concentrates region by region — these are plain counts, not shares.

Where they live today

Zurich 18
Aargau 6
Lucerne 3

Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO), «Surnames of the permanent resident population by canton», 2025, opendata.swiss/en/dataset/nachnamen-der-standigen-wohnbevolkerung-nach-kanton3 · names with fewer than 3 bearers in a canton are not published.

In the Nordic population registers

42 people named Malcolm is counted in Sweden.

Sweden’s figure is from 31 December 2022, the last count Statistics Sweden published.

Counted, by country

Sweden (2022) 42

Own calculations based on data from Statistics Sweden (SCB), surnames with at least two bearers, 31 December 2022 — CC BY 4.0 (names with 20 or more bearers shown).

In Scotland, 1880s

Malcolm was 13 in every 10,000 names in Scotland.

That is about 1 in 769. Its home there, in Guppy’s words: “General.” He counted the more than 20,000 names in Halliburton’s County Directory of Scotland, taking Scotland as a whole, and listed only the names that reached 10 in every 10,000.

H. B. Guppy, «Homes of Family Names in Great Britain» (London, 1890), appendix: alphabetical list of the most frequent Scottish names, p. 592 — public domain · names in Halliburton’s County Directory of Scotland, per 10,000 for the whole country.

In Scotland’s registers today

Malcolm was recorded 80 times in Scotland’s registers of births, marriages and deaths in 2025.

That made it the 328th most common name in those registers, shared with others on the same count. In 1975, the first year of the series, the count was 147. Each birth counts the child’s surname, each marriage both partners’ and each death the surname of the person who died — a yearly count of registrations, not of the people who live in Scotland.

National Records of Scotland, «Most Common Surnames, 2025» (published 26 May 2026): every surname recorded 10 or more times in the 2025 registers, and the series from 1975 · different spellings are counted separately — © Crown copyright 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

In print

Malcolm in American newspapers,
1847–1889.

Newspaper page from Burlington Free Press carrying the name Malcolm
Burlington Free Press 1847-10-29
Newspaper page from Nebraska Advertiser carrying the name Malcolm
Nebraska Advertiser 1882-07-06
Newspaper page from Frostburg Mining Journal carrying the name Malcolm
Frostburg Mining Journal 1889-02-09

Chronicling America, Library of Congress — digitised newspapers in the public domain · 7,225 pages in all carry the name.

In print

Malcolm in Australian newspapers,
1820s–2010s.

178,220 articles name a Mr, Mrs or Miss Malcolm. The most, 42,141, date from the 1930s. New South Wales has the most articles, but weighed against how much of each state’s press from the same decades has been digitised, the name stands out most in South Australia, at 1.7 times its expected share.

Articles, by state

New South Wales 48,095
Victoria 40,600
South Australia 34,824
Queensland 26,519
Western Australia 16,726
Tasmania 6,614
ACT (Canberra) 2,902
Northern Territory 190

Trove, National Library of Australia (trove.nla.gov.au) · articles in its digitised newspapers that name a Mr, Mrs or Miss Malcolm.

Who carried it

People named Malcolm,
with a public archive behind them.

  • Nancy Malcolm d. 2017 · botanical collector
  • William Malcolm d. 1684 · Christian minister
  • David Malcolm d. 1748 · philologist
  • Honoria Malcolm d. 1929
  • Frances Emily Sykes d. 1955
  • George Malcolm d. 1938

Wikidata (CC0) · 10 lives in all are documented under this name.

In the public record

People named Malcolm,
in the records of 7 countries.

Soldiers, farmers, migrants and neighbours who carried the name and left a trace in public archives. Everyone shown here died long ago or was born more than a century ago.

United States1,187 records

1,187 records of the Malcolm name in the United States
  • U.S. Army enlistment records, World War II 267
  • U.S. alien registration index, 1940–1955 242
  • Other U.S. records 678
  1. A United States Selective Service registration card, 1942
    Example: U.S. registration card, 1942
    Military record Raymond C. Malcolm

    Born 1914 in Pennsylvania. Enlisted 1942 at Fort Dix, New Jersey; usher from New York County, New York. U.S. Army veteran of World War II; died 1983, buried at Calverton National Cemetery, New York.

    U.S. National Archives, WWII Army Enlistment Records (public domain); U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0)
  2. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record Roderick Malcolm

    Arrived at New York in 1892 aboard the City of Rome from Glasgow and Moville, aged 18; baker. From Glasgow, Scotland; bound for Omaha.

    U.S. National Archives, Castle Garden Immigration Center Collection, Ship Passenger Records (unrestricted)
  3. Names engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.
    Example: U.S. war memorial
    War record William Edward Malcolm

    Born 1941; from Toledo, Ohio. U.S. Army, infantryman; killed in action 1970 in Thua Thien, South Vietnam.

    U.S. National Archives, Defense Casualty Analysis System (public domain)

Showing 3 of 1,187 records for Malcolm in the United States.

Counts: U.S. National Archives, WWII Army Enlistment Records (public domain) · U.S. National Archives, Flexoline Index Data File (public domain) · U.S. National Archives, Castle Garden Immigration Center Collection, Ship Passenger Records (unrestricted) · NYC Department of Records & Information Services, Historical Vital Records (NYC Open Data) · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0) · New York State Department of Health, Genealogical Research Death Index · U.S. National Archives, Famine Irish Passenger Records (public domain) · U.S. National Archives, Defense Casualty Analysis System (public domain) · Sacramento County, Historic Burials (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: U.S. Selective Service registration card, 1942 (public domain); Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain); Vietnam Veterans Memorial, photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden, 2009 (public domain).

Australia1,480 records

1,480 records of the Malcolm name in Australia
  • Victoria passenger lists, 1839–1923 825
  • Queensland State Archives indexes 221
  • Other Australian records 434
  1. An 1829 etching of convicts being rowed out to the prison ship York in Portsmouth Harbour
    Pictured: convicts going on board a prison ship, 1829
    Transportation record Peter Malcolm

    Transported to New South Wales aboard the Grenada, arriving 1821; ticket of leave 1838. Native of London.

    Museums of History NSW – State Archives Collection (CC BY)
  2. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record Margaret Malcolm

    Arrived in Victoria in 1854 aboard the Ophir, aged 26; Scottish.

    Public Record Office Victoria (CC BY 4.0)
  3. A page of the Livre d’or of the French war dead, Paris
    Example: roll of the war dead
    War record George Malcolm

    Enlisted in 1915 with the 22nd Battalion. Honoured on the Ballarat Avenue of Honour.

    City of Ballarat, Avenue of Honour Plaques (CC BY 3.0 AU)

Showing 3 of 1,480 records for Malcolm in Australia.

Counts: Public Record Office Victoria (CC BY 4.0) · Queensland State Archives (CC BY 4.0) · Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Names Index (CC BY 4.0) · Museums of History NSW – State Archives Collection (CC BY) · National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain) · City of Ballarat, Avenue of Honour Plaques (CC BY 3.0 AU) · State Library of Western Australia (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Prison-ship in Portsmouth Harbour, with the convicts going on board, etching by Edward William Cooke, 1829, Royal Museums Greenwich (public domain); Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain); Livre d’or of the war dead, Paris, Ministère des pensions, Archives nationales (CC0).

Canada506 records

506 records of the Malcolm name in Canada
  • Nova Scotia Archives name indexes 377
  • City of Calgary cemetery records 37
  • Other Canadian records 92
  1. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record Jas Malcolm

    Came to Ontario in 1873 aboard the Prussian, landing at Portland, bound for Orillia, Ontario; Scotch.

    Archives of Ontario. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Ontario.
  2. Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Example: Canadian cemetery
    Burial record Frederick N. Malcolm

    Buried in 1918 at Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia, aged 55.

    Halifax Regional Municipality. Contains information licenced under the Open Government Licence—Halifax.
  3. Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Example: Canadian cemetery
    Burial record Brigitte Malcolm

    Died 1989, aged 45; buried at Brookside Cemetery, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

    City of Winnipeg. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Winnipeg.

Showing 3 of 506 records for Malcolm in Canada.

Counts: Nova Scotia Archives. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Nova Scotia. · City of Calgary. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Calgary. · City of Vancouver. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Vancouver. · Veterans Affairs Canada. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Canada. · City of Winnipeg. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Winnipeg. · Halifax Regional Municipality. Contains information licenced under the Open Government Licence—Halifax. · National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain) · Archives of Ontario. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Ontario. · City of Niagara Falls. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Niagara Falls. Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain); Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax, photo by Edgar El (CC BY 3.0).

United Kingdom95 records

95 records of the Malcolm name in the United Kingdom
  • Stirling Council burial records 53
  • War Office casualty lists, 1917–1919, among the dead 25
  • Scottish rolls of honour, First World War 17
  1. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Stoddart Malcolm

    Died 1945, aged 32; buried at Bannockburn Cemetery, Stirling, Scotland.

    Stirling Council. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  2. A First World War roll of honour of the staff of C. & E. Morton Ltd
    Example: roll of honour, 1914–1919
    War record Alexander James Malcolm

    Born 1879. Died 1914. Named in the George Heriot's School roll of honour, 1914-1919.

    National Library of Scotland, Rolls of Honour (public domain)
  3. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Thomas Kennedy Malcolm

    Died 1963, aged 68; buried at Logie Cemetery, Stirling, Scotland.

    Stirling Council. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Showing 3 of 95 records for Malcolm in the United Kingdom.

Counts: Stirling Council. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. · National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain) · National Library of Scotland, Rolls of Honour (public domain). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Burial register of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, 1858, National Library of Wales (CC0); C. & E. Morton Ltd roll of honour, 1914–1919, photo by Adrian S Pye via Geograph (CC BY-SA 2.0).

New Zealand31 records

31 records of the Malcolm name in New Zealand
  • Christchurch City cemetery records 30
  • Thames-Coromandel District cemetery records 1
  1. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Agnes Malcolm

    Died 1884, aged 51; buried at Addington Cemetery, Christchurch, Canterbury.

    Christchurch City Council (CC BY 4.0)
  2. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Robert John Malcolm

    Buried in 1974 at Totara Memorial Park Cemetery, Thames-Coromandel District, Waikato, aged 62.

    Thames-Coromandel District Council (CC BY 4.0)
  3. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Donald James Malcolm

    Died 1966, aged 61; buried at Waimairi Cemetery, Christchurch, Canterbury.

    Christchurch City Council (CC BY 4.0)

Showing 3 of 31 records for Malcolm in New Zealand.

Counts: Christchurch City Council (CC BY 4.0) · Thames-Coromandel District Council (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Burial register of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, 1858, National Library of Wales (CC0).

Netherlands20 records

20 records of the Malcolm name in the Netherlands
  • Dutch population registers 9
  • Dutch civil registers (births, marriages, deaths) 7
  • Dutch church registers before 1811 4
  1. A marriage entry in the civil register of Tilburg, 1911
    Example: marriage register, 1911
    Marriage record Paul Daniël Malcolm

    Married in 1935 in Rijswijk. Died 1964 in 's-Gravenhage, aged 64; civil servant.

    Open Archives, Archief Delft (CC BY 4.0); Open Archives, Haags Gemeentearchief (CC BY 4.0)
  2. A marriage entry in the civil register of Tilburg, 1911
    Example: marriage register, 1911
    Marriage record Arathoon Gregorij Malcolm

    Married in 1930 in 's-Gravenhage; accountant.

    Open Archives, Haags Gemeentearchief (CC BY 4.0)
  3. A page of the Berlin civil register, 1880
    Example: civil register, 1880
    Death record James Malcolm

    Died 1899 in Rotterdam, aged 27.

    Open Archives, Stadsarchief Rotterdam (CC BY 4.0)

Showing 3 of 20 records for Malcolm in the Netherlands.

Counts: Open Archives (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Marriage register, Tilburg, 1911, Regionaal Archief Tilburg (public domain); Civil register, Berlin, 1880, Landesarchiv Berlin (CC0).

France1 record

1 record of the Malcolm name in France France's national death register, 1970–2001
  1. A page of the death register of Nice, 1930
    Example: French death register, 1930
    Death record Irene Alexandra Malcolm

    Born 1919 in the United Kingdom; died 1992 in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes).

    Insee, Fichier des personnes décédées (Licence Ouverte)

Counts: Insee, Fichier des personnes décédées (Licence Ouverte). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Death register of Nice, 1930, Archives départementales des Alpes-Maritimes (public domain).

Nearby in the index

Surnames next to Malcolm.

When the index is not enough

This page says where Malcolm is.
A volume says what happened to it.

Every page in the index is free and stays free. The Heritage Volume is the long form: the full paper trail, the arms, the crossing — bound, and yours.

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