Mallams History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Mallams

What does the name Mallams mean?

The history of the Mallams family goes back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the family living 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 Mallams family

The surname Mallams 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 Mallams family

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

Mallams Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Mallams include Mallam, Malham, Maleham, Malam, Malem, Mallem, Malgham, Mallom, Mallum, Malhamdale, Malghom and many more.

Early Notables of the Mallams family

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

Migration of the Mallams family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Mallams or a variant listed above: 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)