Malcolm is a Scottish surname and given name, derived from the Scottish Gaelic 'Mac Dhughall', meaning 'son of Duncan'. It was brought to England by Norman settlers after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name gained prominence due to Malcolm III, also known as Malcolm Canmore, who ruled Scotland from 1058 until his death in 1163. Malcolm has been a popular given name throughout history, with notable bearers including Malcolm X, an American Muslim minister and human rights activist, and Malcolm Turnbull, the former Prime Minister of Australia.
The name Malcomb experienced a gradual decline in popularity over the early to mid-20th century, with a notable spike in usage in 1965.