This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Matilda,' from diminutive Malkin. 'Malkyne or Mawt, proper name (Molt, K., Mawde, W.), Matildis (Matilda)': Promptorium Parvulorum In the face of this clear statement it seems strange that Malkin should have been universally treated as the diminutive of Mary. 'It was formerly a common diminutive of Mary' (Halliwell). I suspect Malkin represented Mary in the North of England, and Matilda in Norfolk and South-East England generally. At any rate, Maid Marian was also known as Malkin, and Marian, or more correctly Marion, is an unquestionable diminutive of Mary. Malkin is found early:

'Nor those prude yongemen That loveth Malekyn.' - A Litul soth Sermun, Early English Texts Society.

'And Malkin, with hire riistaf in hire hond.' Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales.

Hence a kitchen wench. 'The kitchen malkin pins Her richest lockram': Coriolanus. Burton is still more unkind: 'A filthy knave, a deformed quean, a crooked carcass, a maukin, a witch': Anat. of Melancholy, part iii. sect a, mem. a, subsect. 3. Hence, too, malkin, a baker's clout to clean ovens with, or a scarecrow (v. Halliwell), on the same principle by which implements taking Jack's place took Jack's name; compare bootjack, or jack, a turnspit.

Thomas Malkynson, Webster, 1370: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Johannes Malkynson, 1379: ibid.

William Malkynson, 1379: ibid.

Matilda Dikwyuemalkynson, vidua, i.e. Matilda, the wife of Dick, the son of Malkyn, widow: ibid.Stolen from Fore-bears

Willelmus Malkynson, ibid.

Malkinson exists in Yorkshire, but it is rare; Malkin later on, as the name of a drab, having, like Parnall and Nan, lost caste. Nevertheless some of our Makinsons are doubtless thus originated; v. Makin.

1604. Baptised — Joseph, s. Joshua Malkin: St. James, Clerkenwell.

(English) Descendant of Malkin, a pet form of Mary (bitterness), also of little Mal, a pet form of Matilda (might, battle).

A common diminutive of Mary. Halliwell.