Find out how popular the last name Malvern is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Malvern.

Malvern, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Malvern surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Malvern in America

Malvern is the 157234th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Malvern surname appeared 103 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Malvern.

The history of the last name Malvern

The surname Malvern is of English origin and can be traced back to the town of Malvern in Worcestershire, England. The name is derived from the Old English words "mæl" meaning "cross" and "ærn" meaning "house or dwelling place", suggesting that it was originally a place name referring to a dwelling place with a cross or crucifix.

Malvern is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Malverne", indicating its early usage as a place name and potential origin for the surname. The first recorded instances of the surname Malvern date back to the 13th century, with records showing individuals such as William de Malverne (1275) and John de Malverne (1327) residing in the area.

During the Middle Ages, the town of Malvern became famous for its Benedictine monastery and the production of high-quality wool. This may have contributed to the surname's association with the wool trade and textile industry. Prominent individuals with the surname Malvern during this period include Richard Malvern (c. 1300-1370), a renowned wool merchant and landowner in Malvern.

As people began to migrate from rural areas to cities, the surname Malvern spread across England. Notable individuals include Sir Thomas Malvern (1545-1628), a successful merchant and Lord Mayor of London, and William Malvern (1610-1678), a Puritan minister and author who emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the surname Malvern became associated with the spa town of Malvern in Worcestershire, known for its natural spring waters and hydropathic treatments. This led to the emergence of individuals such as Dr. James Manby Gully (1808-1883), a prominent hydropathist and supporter of the water cure movement, who established a successful practice in Malvern.

Throughout history, the surname Malvern has been linked to various professions, including clergy, merchants, and medical practitioners. Other notable individuals with this surname include Sir Godfrey Malvern (1901-1985), a British diplomat and ambassador to the United States, and George Malvern (1857-1932), an English cricketer who played for Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Malvern

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Malvern.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Malvern was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Malvern was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Malvern, please contact us.

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