Maleham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Maleham

What does the name Maleham mean?

The Maleham name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived in either Sussex or in the West Riding of Yorkshire at Malham, 1 a township, in the parish of Kirkby-in-Malham-Dale, union of Settle, W. division of the wapentake of Staincliffe and Ewcross. Nearby is Malham-Moor, a township, in the parish of Kirkby-in-Malham-Dale. 2

The place names literally mean "dweller at the stony place," 3 or "settlement by the gravelly place." 4 The Domesday Book of 1086 lists the Yorkshire townships collectively as Malgun. 5

Early Origins of the Maleham family

The surname Maleham was first found in Winchester where Roger Malham was recorded 1210-1211. Later in Sussex, the Pipe Rolls show William de Malham held a family seat at Malham Farm in Wisborough Green and John de Malham was listed here in the Subsidy Rolls of 1296. 3

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include: John de Malghom; Stephen de Malgham, draper; Thomas de Malgham, cissor; Willelmus de Malghom; Adam de Mallom; and Thomas de Mallum. 6

Early History of the Maleham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Maleham research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487 and 1774 are included under the topic Early Maleham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Maleham Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Maleham has undergone many spelling variations, including Mallam, Malham, Maleham, Malam, Malem, Mallem, Malgham, Mallom, Mallum, Malhamdale, Malghom and many more.

Early Notables of the Maleham family

More information is included under the topic Early Maleham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Maleham family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Maleham were among those contributors: Ben Mallam, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1914; George Mallam, aged 23, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1917; M. Mallam, aged 21, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1906.

Sources +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)