Malpas

Malpas is a place name and surname found primarily in the British Isles and parts of Western Europe. It is most commonly associated with a village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester, England, but is also used for other settlements and family names.

The Cheshire Malpas occupies a rural setting near the border with Wales and has medieval origins reflected in its street pattern and surviving historic buildings. The village developed as a local market and agricultural centre and retains a mix of residential, community and commercial facilities. A parish church with medieval elements, traditional timber-framed houses and conservation areas contribute to its historic character. Local governance is provided by a parish council and the unitary authority, and the community is served by local schools, pubs, shops and recreational amenities. The local economy combines agriculture, small businesses and commuting to larger towns.

There is also a Malpas in Cornwall, a smaller settlement located close to a tidal estuary in the southwestern peninsula of England, characterized by rural and coastal landscapes. The name appears elsewhere in France and in surnames of Anglo-Norman origin; as a surname it has been borne by people in a variety of fields.

Malpas is therefore a toponym with multiple local meanings rather than a single entity, and its specific character varies by location from inland market villages to small coastal communities.