The villageMaslacius subterior was cited in 519. In 1003, the village is designated under the name Masliacus Major. In 1187, the name of Mâlay-le-Grand became Malaium Vice-comitis until the French Revolution. It was only then that Mâlay-le-Vicomte became Mâlay-le-Grand again and the neighbouring village of Mâlay-le-Roi also became Malay-le-Petit.