Malden
A locational surname referring to someone from the town of Malden in England.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 308 Americans carry the last name Malden. That puts it at #76,029 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.09 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,112,839 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Malden surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
308
1 in 1,112,839
Census rank
#76,029
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
253
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 253 bearers of the surname Malden in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 76029th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Malden, the largest self-reported group is Black at 51.4%. The next largest groups are White (43.1%) and Hispanic (2.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Malden
The surname Malden has its origins in England, tracing back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It is derived from the Old English words "mæl" meaning "cross" and "dun" meaning "hill." The name likely referred to a person who lived near a hill with a cross or landmark on it.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Maldene." This suggests that the name was already established in parts of England by the late 11th century.
In the 13th century, the name was commonly spelled "Maldun" or "Maldone." Over time, variations such as "Malden" and "Maldon" emerged in different regions of England.
Notable individuals with the surname Malden include Sir Thomas Malden (c. 1350-1428), a Member of Parliament for Essex during the reign of King Henry IV. Another was Sir William Malden (1525-1587), a prominent landowner and sheriff of Essex during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 17th century, John Malden (1593-1659) was an English clergyman and academic who served as President of St John's College, Oxford. Around the same time, Robert Malden (1625-1694) was a lawyer and author from Kent, known for his legal treatises.
Fast forward to the 19th century, Henry Malden (1800-1876) was an English clergyman and author who wrote extensively on the history and topography of Surrey. He served as a vicar in the village of Malden, which likely took its name from the same Old English roots as the surname.
Throughout its history, the surname Malden has been associated with various place names across England, such as Malden in Essex, Malden in Surrey, and Maldon in Essex, reflecting the geographical origins and spread of families bearing this name.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Malden
Among Census respondents with the surname Malden, the largest self-reported group is Black at 51.4%. The next largest groups are White (43.1%) and Hispanic (2.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Malden bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Malden surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American51.4%
- White43.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.8%
- Two or more races2.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Malden surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #76,029 | #76,029 | 0.0% |
| Count | 253 | 253 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Malden bearers went from 253 to 253 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #76,029 to #76,029.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Malden
FAQ
Malden surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Malden?
The surname Malden holds position #76,029 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 308 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Malden surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Malden, the largest self-reported group is Black at 51.4%. The next largest groups are White (43.1%) and Hispanic (2.8%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.