Malkovich
A surname of Russian origin meaning "little" or "small one".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Malkovich. That puts it at #98,982 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Malkovich 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
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#98,982
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
183
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 183 bearers of the surname Malkovich in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 98982nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Malkovich, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.7%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Malkovich
The surname Malkovich is of Croatian origin and can be traced back to the 15th century. It is believed to have originated from the Croatian town of Malkovići, located in the Dalmatian hinterland. The name itself is derived from the Slavic word "malko," which means "small" or "little," suggesting that the name may have been initially given to someone of small stature or a young person.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Malkovich can be found in a document dating back to 1487, which mentions a certain Petar Malkovich from the town of Malkovići. This document is preserved in the archives of the Republic of Ragusa (modern-day Dubrovnik), a prominent maritime republic at the time.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Malkovich family seems to have spread across different regions of the Balkan Peninsula, with records showing individuals bearing the name in various parts of Croatia, as well as in neighboring countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.
In the 18th century, a notable figure with the surname Malkovich was Ivan Malkovich (1731-1807), a Croatian priest and scholar who was known for his contributions to the field of theology and his work on translating religious texts into the Croatian language.
Another significant individual was Nikola Malkovich (1854-1932), a Croatian-born engineer who played a crucial role in the construction of the Panama Canal. He was responsible for overseeing a significant portion of the excavation work and is recognized for his engineering expertise and leadership skills.
In the 20th century, the most famous bearer of the Malkovich surname is undoubtedly the American actor John Malkovich, born in 1953. Known for his versatile acting skills and distinctive voice, Malkovich has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.
Other notable individuals with the Malkovich surname include Andrija Malkovich (1847-1916), a Croatian military officer who served in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Marko Malkovich (1879-1957), a Croatian painter and sculptor who was part of the Naive Art movement in the early 20th century.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Malkovich
Among Census respondents with the surname Malkovich, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.7%.
The bar chart below shows how Malkovich 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 Malkovich surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Malkovich 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 | #98,982 | #98,982 | 0.0% |
| Count | 183 | 183 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Malkovich bearers went from 183 to 183 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #98,982 to #98,982.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Malkovich
FAQ
Malkovich surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Malkovich?
The surname Malkovich holds position #98,982 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Malkovich surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Malkovich, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.7%. 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.