Show ContentsMalltelane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

From the historical and enchanting region of Scotland emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Malltelane family name. Originally, the Scottish people were known only by a single name. Surnames evolved during the Middle Ages when people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. The Malltelane surname is generally thought to derive from the Anglo-Norman French word "maltalent," or "mautalent," meaning "bad temper," in turn from the Late Latin "malum," meaning "bad," and "talentum," meaning "inclination," or "disposition." As such, the surname is said to be a nickname surname; originally used for someone with this characteristic. However, there was also a place called Mautalant in Pontorson, France, which may have been a source for the surname.

Early Origins of the Malltelane family

The surname Malltelane was first found in Berwickshire an ancient county of Scotland, presently part of the Scottish Borders Council Area, located in the eastern part of the Borders Region of Scotland, where they came from England following 1066. Instances of the name were fairly common in Northumberland during the 12th and 13th centuries. One reference claims the name was thought to have been derived from a place in the parish of Inveresk in the county of Edinburgh called Magdalen Pans, which evolved to Maitland Pans, from a chapel dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen, which formerly stood there.1 Whatever the origin, it seems the first on record in Scotland was Thomas de Matalant, who was settled in Berwick during the reign of William the Lion, King of Scots from 1165 to 1214.

Early History of the Malltelane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Malltelane research. Another 216 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1486, 1525, 1537, 1568, 1573, 1586, 1587, 1590, 1595, 1616, 1620, 1624, 1645, 1653, 1655, 1682, 1691, 1695, 1710, 1745 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Malltelane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Malltelane Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Maitland, Matland, Maltland, Maltalent, Matlain and others.

Early Notables of the Malltelane family

Notable among the family at this time was Sir Richard Maitland (1486-1586), lawyer and poet; John Maitland (1537-1595), created 1st Lord Maitland of Thirlestane (1590), and Lord Chancellor of Scotland (1586); John Maitland, 1st Earl of Lauderdale, Viscount of Lauderdale, Viscount Maitland, and Lord Thirlestane and Boltoun, (died 1645), President of the Scottish Parliament; and...
Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Malltelane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Malltelane family to Ireland

Some of the Malltelane family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Malltelane family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Maitland, who was banished to the American Plantations in 1684; Andrew Maitland, who arrived in New Jersey in 1685; William Maitland, who came to Georgia in 1698.



The Malltelane Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Consillio et animis
Motto Translation: By skill and spirit.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook