Surname Malick - Meaning and Origin
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Malick: What does the surname Malick mean?
The last name Malick is derived from an ancient Arabic title "Malik" which means "king" or "ruler". It was generally given to someone as an honorific title, denoting the person's leadership qualities, power, or influence in the society. Over time, this title became a surname and was often passed down through generations. Before evolving into a surname, it was used as a personal name. As a surname, Malick, its variants, or similar sounding names can be found in different cultures and regions, including the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and parts of Eastern Europe. However, the meaning may vary slightly between cultures or it may have additional connotations besides "king" or "ruler". Despite these cultural variations, the core essence of dominance, leadership, or nobility is prevalent in all definitions of the name Malick.
Order DNA origin analysisMalick: Where does the name Malick come from?
The last name Malick is of Arabic origin, derived from "Malik" which means "king" or "owner". This surname is extremely prevalent across Islamic cultures, both in Arab nations and in regions that were significantly influenced by Islam, such as parts of Africa, Western Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. It's a widespread surname, particularly in countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh due to a large Muslim presence. In some cases, it was transliterated as "Mallik" or "Malek" when individuals or their ancestors migrated to Western nations. One of the largest clusters of people with the Malick surname is found in Bangladesh, while high concentrations are also seen in Saudi Arabia and the United States. Like many surnames, the distribution of the Malick name has been influenced by historical migration patterns and religious conversions, and thus it is now found in numerous countries around the world. However, it remains most common within countries that have a large Muslim population.
Variations of the surname Malick
The surname Malick has a few variations in spelling, derived from different regions and languages. The oldest known form is the Germanic "Malik," which means "ruler, chief or king". The surname has many branches and can be found in various forms including Malik, Malick, Malek, Malikk, Malich, Maleck, Malec, Malak, Mallik, and Mallika among others.
The surname Malick is often associated with Muslim families due to the Arabic version, Malik, which is a popular name and surname in Muslim societies, also carrying the meaning "king" or "owner". In the Slavic context, surnames like Malek or Malick are not uncommon, where 'Malek' can be translated as 'little'.
In addition, the surname may be spelled Malyk in Ukrainian, and Małyk in Polish. The surname Malicz is a Polish variant. Malakh is another variant used in Russia and Ukraine. Malay is a variation found among the Bengali population in India.
Specific families may have branched and modified the surname, creating unique variations. Each variant of the surname carries with it a rich history, derived from the languages, customs and cultures it has been part of.
Famous people with the name Malick
- Terrence Malick: American film director, producer, and screenwriter.
- Jessica Malick: American actress, model, and YouTuber.
- Saïd Malick: Malian film director and producer.
- Taya Malick: American actress and model.
- Tommy Malick: American actor and comedian.
- Paul Malick: Belgian author and film critic.
- Beatrice Malick: American artist and composer.
- Iwam Malick: French-American actor.
- Zohra Malick: Pakistan economist and academic.
- Fatoumata Malick: Mauritanian singer-songwriter.