The given name Male is an English name derived from the Old French word "masle", which in turn comes from the Latin "masculus", meaning "male" or "masculine". This name has its origins in the medieval period, around the 12th century, when it was first used to distinguish between male and female members of a family or group.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Male can be found in the Domesday Book, a great survey of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. In this historical record, there are several mentions of individuals with the name Male, suggesting that it was already in use as a personal name during that time.

The name Male also appears in various literary works from the Middle Ages, such as the 14th-century poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight". In this work, one of the characters is referred to as "Male, the son of Arawan", indicating that the name was in use among the nobility and literary circles of the time.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Male. One of the earliest was Male de Neville, a 13th-century English nobleman who served as a knight and held lands in Yorkshire. Another was Male de Beaumont, a 14th-century English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Durham from 1317 to 1333.

In the 15th century, there was Male de Rideware, an English landowner and member of Parliament who represented Staffordshire in the House of Commons during the reign of Henry VI. A century later, Male Fitz-Herbert was a prominent English lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1516 to 1538 under Henry VIII.

One of the most famous individuals with the name Male was Male Lambert, a 16th-century English Protestant martyr who was burned at the stake in 1538 during the English Reformation for his religious beliefs. His execution is commemorated in John Foxe's famous work, "Acts and Monuments", also known as the "Book of Martyrs".

While the name Male was once relatively common, particularly in medieval England, it has become quite rare in modern times. However, its historical significance and connections to notable figures from various periods serve as a testament to its enduring legacy.