Map of Wales showing where the Malec arms are recorded
The Malec arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Malec arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Wales.
Origin & History of the Malec Family in Wales
The surname Malec carries a rich history that often links back to Slavic roots, where the name originated as a descriptive term meaning small or little. While the name is widely recognized in Central and Eastern Europe, historical records show that individuals bearing this name were established in the town of Denbigh by 1647. During the seventeenth century, Denbigh served as a significant market town and a center of local governance in North Wales. Families living in this area during that period were often involved in the agricultural trade or local craft industries that defined the regional economy. The presence of the Malec name in these early Welsh records suggests that the family integrated into the local community during a time of great social and political change. By maintaining their presence in this historic town, these early ancestors helped establish a lasting legacy that persisted through generations of local life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mal
Derived from the Latin malus meaning bad or evil.
This name
MalecA locational or descriptive surname likely referring to a person of ill-repute or a specific geographic feature.
also spelled
Maleoke
Malyock
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Library of Wales, Denbighshire Quarter Sessions Records, 1647
Denbighshire Archives, Parish Registers of Denbigh, 1647
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cherubDivine protection over the innocent
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cherubDivine protection over the innocent
