The first element is mǫn (stem form man-) which means "mane", referring to a mountain ridge behind the farm.

The official blazon is "Or, a grouse close sable" (Norwegian: I gull en svart tiur).

The northern part of Malvik lies along the Trondheimsfjord, and it is along this coastal section that the vast majority of the population lives, and where schools, and places of employment are located.

The municipal center is Hommelvik, situated about 25 kilometres (16 mi) east of Trondheim, and it has long been the main population area in Malvik.

In the last few decades the area around Vikhammer and Hundhammeren (about 10 kilometres or 6.2 miles to the west) has grown larger than Hommelvik.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Malvik is made up of 31 representatives that are elected to four year terms.

Here is a list of people who have held this position:[35][36][37] To the east of Malvik is Stjørdal Municipality, which includes Trondheim Airport, Værnes.

The airport has frequent connections to many locations in Norway, and a growing range of direct air links abroad (currently including London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Prague).

The proximity of this airport means that Malvik, though a small community in a relatively isolated location, has rather good transport connections very close at hand.

The railroad winds its way along the coast of the Trondheimsfjord in Malvik, and is a very scenic and pleasant journey[citation needed].

The Gevingåsen Tunnel is being built to shorten the rail trip from Trondheim to Stjørdal.

The railway junction where the line splits for Bodø or Sweden is just to the east of Malvik, at a small settlement called Hell.