Show ContentsMalner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Malner is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone who worked as a person who was a milner or more commonly know as a miller. The name is derived from the Anglo-Saxon name myln which meant mill. 1

"The surname is most common in the north and eastern counties, where Scandinavian influence was strong." 2

Early Origins of the Malner family

The surname Malner was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire at Appleton-Roebuck and Nun-Appleton, a township, in the parish of Bolton-Percy, W. division of Ainsty wapentake. "This place comprises by computation 2800 acres, chiefly the property of the Milner family, whose splendid mansion, Nun-Appleton Hall, stands in an extensive and finely wooded park, near the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Wharfe: the house was built by Thomas, Lord Fairfax, on the site of a Cistercian priory for nuns, founded by Alice de St. Quintin at the commencement of the thirteenth century." 3

The Hundredorum Rolls had only one listing for the family, Robert le Melner in Derbyshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had two listings, the latter an occupational entry: Robertus Mylner; and Henricus Tele, milner. 4

The Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire included John le Mulnare in 1275 and later, Robert le Milner was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Yorkshire in 1297. 2

In Scotland, entries were quite a bit later as "Andrew Mylnar leased part of the Grange of Abirbothry, 1454 and Paton Mylner, [was] tenant of Westhorn of Grange of Kerso, in 1478." 5

Early History of the Malner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Malner research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1545, 1570, 1628, 1702, 1723, 1730, 1760, 1789, 1827, 1841, 1887 and 1897 are included under the topic Early Malner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Malner Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Malner are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Malner include Milner, Milnor and others.

Early Notables of the Malner family

Distinguished members of the family include John Milner (1628-1702), an English clergyman, known as a nonjuring minister, scholar and opponent of John Locke. James Milner, 9th Seigneur of Sark (died 1730) bought the fief of Sark from John Johnson in 1723 for £5,000, and was Seigneur of Sark until 1730. Thomas Mulliner (c. 1545-1570), was the Oxford organist who compiled the commonplace Mulliner Book. Arthur Mulliner was the twentieth century name of a coachbuilding business founded in Northampton in 1760 which remained in family ownership. Henry Mulliner...
Another 86 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Malner Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Malner family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Malner or a variant listed above: Joseph, Daniel, Anne, Sarah, and Ralph Milner all arrived in Philadelphia in 1683; Michael Milner arrived in New England in 1635; Samuel Milner settled in Virginia in 1635.



  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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