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The pantheon of Maltese surnames

by Mario CASSAR

The study of names can be conducted in three directions: historical, semantic, and geo-regional. Historical and semantic considerations are covered elsewhere. The following short notes provide information on the local distribution of the twenty most common surnames in Malta. Their presence in Italy or Sicily, where applicable, is also mentioned (49).

1. Borg

The Semitic name Borg is in the Militia List of 1419-1420 but was in first place in the Status Animarum (diocesan census) of 1687. It is still the most common name in Malta. The results show that 13,456 people, or 3.3% of the entire population, bear this surname. It is most widespread in the North Harbour and Western districts, where approximately 4.2% of the inhabitants of these two districts bear this surname. At the locality level, 10.4% of the population bear this surname in Birkirkara (50). Borg has, in fact, four main clusters: (a) Birkirkara (1st in ranking order), Attard (1st), Balzan (1st), Lija (1st), and Iklin (1st); (b) Ħamrun (1st), Pietà (1st), Msida (1st), and Santa Venera (2nd); (b) Gzira (1st), San Gwann (1st), St Julians (1st), Swieqi (1st), Ta 'Xbiex (2nd), and Sliema (2nd); and (d) Qormi (1st), Żebbuġ (1st), and Siġġiewi (2nd). It is also a frequent surname in La Valette, Mtarfa, and Xghajra. Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Borg Olivier, Borg Costanzi, Borg Cardona, Borg Barthet, Borg Bartolo, Borg Bonaci, Borg Galea, Borg Hedley, Borg Falzon, Borg Bonello, Borg Caruana, Borg Carabott, Borg Grech, Borg marques, Borg Manduca, Borg Manche, Borg Myatt, Borg Millo, Borg Xuereb and Borg Hampton.

In Italy, Borg exists in 17 municipalities. Borgi is represented in 58 municipalities, mainly in Tuscany and Lazio, while the less common Burgi and Borgio are both present in 21 municipalities. These cognate forms, showing different spellings, probably represent adaptations, and an exchange between the two shores cannot be excluded. Some Italians bearing these names may after all be of Maltese origin.

2. Camilleri

Camilleri was not among the top ten names in the Militia List of 1419/1420, but was in third place in the Status Animarum of 1687. At present, there are 12,864 people, or 3.2% of the population, bearing this presumably Sicilian surname. Many Camilleri reside in Mosta where some 6.2% of individuals bear this surname. It is now the second most common name in Malta and the third name in Gozo. Camilleri has two main clusters: (a) Mosta (1st in ranking order), Naxxar (1st), Birkirkara (2nd), Attard (2nd), Balzan (2nd); and (b) Marsa (1st), Luqa (1st), Żurrieq (2nd). It is also a frequent surname in Sliema, Żabbar, and Nadur (Gozo). Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Camilleri Brennan, Camilleri Cauchi, Camilleri Fava, Camilleri Kamsky, Camilleri Mercieca and Camilleri Galea.

In Italy, Camilleri exists in 128 municipalities; it is mainly concentrated in Sicily, particularly in Palerme, Agrigente, Caltanissetta, and Catane. Its presence in the north (Piedmont, Lombardy, and Liguria) is perhaps better explained by internal migration.

3. Vella

The Italian name Vella was probably the most widespread name in Malta at the end of the Middle Ages, as evidenced by the Militia List of 1419/1420. It is fifth in the Status Animarum of 1687. Today Vella comes in third place with 11,998, or 3.0% of the census population. Of these, approximately 36.6% of all people bearing this surname live in the Northern district and Gozo. It heads the ranking order in Mellieha, Mġarr (Malta), St Paul's Bay, and Paola, and is in 2nd place in Cospicua, Senglea, Żabbar, Pietà, Naxxar, and Mosta. At the locality level, some 6.8% of all people bearing this surname reside in Mellieha. Its concentration in the northern part of Malta is complemented by the fact that it is also the most frequent in Gozo (4.8%), where it is particularly visible in Xewkija (1st in ranking order), Rabat (2nd), Munxar (2nd), Sannat (2nd), and Kercem (2nd). Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Vella Bamber, Vella Bardon, Vella Bondin, Vella Bonnici, Vella Briffa, Vella Brincat, Vella Clark(e), Vella Critien, Vella De Fremeaux, Vella Galea, Vella Gera, Vella Gregory, Vella Haber, Vella Laurenti, Vella Petroni, Vella Muscat, Vella Tomlin and Vella Zarb.

In Italy, Vella is counted in 535 municipalities. The most important clusters are found in southern and western Sicily as well as in the Agrigente region. There are significant clusters in Rome and Naples, and once again, it is also very visible in the North (Tuscany and Lombardy). The variant Bella (the base form) is present in 351 municipalities and is quite notable in the Catane region.

4. Farrugia

In terms of frequency, Farrugia ranked third in the Militia List of 1419/1420 and second in the Status Animarum of 1687. It is now the fourth most common name in Malta, borne by 11,725 people, or 2.9% of the total population. It is most frequent in the South Harbour and South-Eastern districts, where approximately 3.7% of the population residing there bear this surname. It has three main clusters: (a) Vittoriosa (1st in ranking order), Cospicua (1st), Fgura (1st), and Kalkara (3rd); (b) Tarxien (2nd), Gudja (1st), and Santa Lucija (1st); and (c) Żurrieq (1st), Mqabba (1st), Qrendi (1st), Kirkop (1st), and Safi (3rd). It is also a frequent surname in Siggiewi and Birżebbuġa and is in second place in Dingli, Tarxien, and Haz-Zebbug. Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Farrugia Randon, Farrugia Roberts, Farrugia Wismayer, Farrugia Sacco, and Farrugia Vella.

In Italy, Farrugia is represented in 21 municipalities. The cognate form Farruggia, occurring in 160 municipalities, is mainly accounted for in Sicily, particularly Palerme, Agrigente, and Caltanissetta.

5. Zammit

In terms of frequency Zammit ranked second in the Militia List of 1419/1420 and sixth in the Status Animarum of 1687. It is now the fifth most frequent name in Malta, borne by 9,554 people, or 2.4% of the total population. It heads the ranking order in Tarxien, Santa Venera, Ta 'Xbiex, Pembroke, and Safi, and is in second place in Kirkop, Lija, Marsa, Mqabba, Qormi, and La Valette. Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Zammit Briffa, Zammit Ciantar, Zammit Cordina, Zammit Cutajar, Zammit Endrich, Zammit Fava, Zammit Haber, Zammit La Rosa, Zammit Lupi, Zammit Maempel, Zammit Mangion, Zammit Marmara, Zammit Mckeon, and Zammit Tabona.

In Italy Zammit is present in 18 municipalities; its cognate form, Zammitti, is present in 37 municipalities, with a significant presence in Syracuse, and another, less pronounced one in Palerme. Zammitto appears in 12 municipalities but the secondary form Zambito is present in no fewer than 96 municipalities in the Agrigente region.

6. Galea

The Status Animarum of 1687 shows that 23.5% of all Galea resided in Mosta (51). It was then 14th, but now ranks 6th with 8,666 members, or 2.1% of the entire population. It ranks second in Rabat (Malta) and Mtarfa. Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Galea Curmi, Galea Debono, Galea Cavallazzi, Galea Musu, Galea Naudi, Galea Pace, Galea Scannura, Galea Testaferrata, and Galea Souchet.

In Italy, Galea is represented in 58 municipalities; its main center appears to be Calabria.

7. Micallef

Micallef was the fifth most frequent name in 1419/20, but only 13th in the Status Animarum of 1687. The latter census showed that 32.6% of the population of Birkirkara bore this name (52). It is now the most frequent surname in Floriana, Dingli, and Rabat (Malta), and is in second place in Mdina, Msida, San Ġwann, Xghajra, and Iklin. The current total number of Micallefs stands at 8,494, or approximately 2.1% of the entire population. Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Micallef Attard, Micallef Decesare, Micallef Borg, Micallef Engerer, Micallef Eynaud, Micallef Grimaud, Micallef Trigona, Micallef St John and Micallef Stafrace.

In Italy, Micallef is present in 14 municipalities; its primary form, Micalef, exists in 19 municipalities.

8. Grech

Grech ranked fourth in the Status Animarum of 1687. With 7,958, or 2.0% of the entire population, it has slipped to eighth place. It is most present in Vittoriosa (2nd) and Kalkara (2nd). Grech is also the fourth most common name in Gozo, where it holds first place in Rabat and Kercem, and second in Għajnsielem and Gharb. Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Grech Cumbo, Grech Ellul, Grech Mallia, Grech Marguerat, Grech Orr and Grech Sant.

In Italy, Grech exists in 22 municipalities; its cognate form Grechi is present in no fewer than 221 municipalities. The latter surname is dispersed throughout northern and central Italy, with higher densities recorded in Lombardy. The name Greco is massively present in 2,227 municipalities, making it the tenth most common name in Italy.

9. Attard

Attard was just in the top 20 in 1687. It is now in ninth place with 7,466 members, or 1.8% of the total population. Attard is the most frequent surname in Mdina. It is also the second most common name in Gozo, where it is present in Fontana (1st), Xewkija (2nd), and Xagħra (2nd). Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Attard Baldacchino, Attard Bason, Attard Bezzina, Attard Biancardi, Attard Bondi, Attard Cassar, Attard Flores, Attard Kingswell, Attard Montalto, Attard MacCarthy and Attard Portughes.

In Italy, Attard is represented in 20 municipalities. The complete forms Attardo and Attardi are much more numerous and appear respectively in 120 municipalities and 132. The former is mainly of Sicilian origin, with a higher density in the Agrigente region.

10. Spiteri

Spiteri was not in the top 20 in 1687. Its rise has thus been quite remarkable; there are 7,335 Spiteri and covering 1.8% of the total population, it is now the 10th surname in Malta. Spiteri is mainly concentrated in the Żejtun-Għaxaq and Luqa-Marsa areas. Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Spiteri Bailey, Spiteri Fiteni, Spiteri Cremona, Spiteri Debono, Spiteri Gonzi, Spiteri Lucas, Spiteri Paris, Spiteri Maempel, Spiteri Sacco, Spiteri Shaw and Spiteri Staines.

Spiteri is present in 49 Italian municipalities. There is a modest presence in Licata, in Sicily. Spitaleri, one of the possible variants, is present in 221 municipalities.

11. Azzopardi

Azzopardi (rarely Azopardi) ranked ninth in 1419/1420 and tenth in 1687. It is now the twelfth most common name in Malta, maintaining a stable presence over just under six centuries of history. 7,049 people bear this surname, or 1.7% of the population. In Gozo it is mainly concentrated in Għajnsielem, Gharb, and Xewkija.

In Italy, Azzopardi appears in only six municipalities; its variant, Azzopardo, is only counted in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

12. Cassar

Cassar (very rarely Kassar) is one of the oldest surnames in Malta; it ranked eighth in the Militia List of 1419/1420 and 18th in the Status Animarum of 1687. Since then, it has risen to 11th place. 7,044 people bear this surname, which is 1.7% of the total population. It is now the most frequent surname in Kalkara, Marsaskala, and Gharb (Gozo). Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Cassar Desain, Cassar Galea, Cassar Mallia, Cassar Pullicino, Cassar Parnis, Cassar Delia, Cassar Blanc, Cassar Aveta, Cassar Torreg(g)iani, and Cassar Naudi.

Cassar is present in 60 Italian municipalities, but Cassaro exists in 138 municipalities. The latter prevails mainly in the Agrigente-Caltanissetta-Licata axis. Its significant presence in the North (especially Lombardy) is better explained by internal migration.

13. Mifsud

The Semitic name Mifsud was in ninth place in 1687. Today, 6,674 people bear this surname, or 1.6% of the population. Its numbers are further increased by the numerous double names Mifsud Bonnici, and to a lesser extent, by Mifsud Tommasi.

Mifsud occurs in small numbers in 11 Italian municipalities.

14. Caruana

The Status Animarum of 1687 shows that 23.2% of all Caruanas resided in Żejtun (53); it ranked eighth in the classification. Caruana is today the most frequent surname in Senglea and is in second place in Għaxaq and Marsaxlokk. 6,562 people bear this surname, or 1.6% of the population. Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Caruana Curran, Caruana Galizia, Caruana Montaldo, Caruana Scicluna, Caruana Smith, Caruana Colombo, Caruana Turner and Caruana Dingli.

In Italy, Caruana is present in 149 municipalities; it is particularly present in Agrigente, Caltanissetta, and Palerme.

15. Muscat

Muscat is 11th in the Status Animarum of 1687. It now heads the ranking order in Sannat (Gozo) and is in second place in Mġarr (Malta). 6,187 people bear this surname, or 1.5% of the population. Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Muscat Azzopardi, Muscat Baron, Muscat Doublesin, Muscat Scerri, Muscat Drago, Muscat Terribile and Muscat Fenech.

In Italy, Muscat is present in only five municipalities, but its complete form, Muscato, is present in 43 municipalities, particularly in Sicily and Apulia. The cognate form Moscato is much more frequent and appears in 423 municipalities.

16. Agius

Agius ranked seventh in the Status Animarum of 1687. Currently 5,911 people bear this surname, or 1.5% of the population. Its numbers are further supplemented by double surnames such as Agius Ferrante, Agius Delicata, Agius Fernandez, Agius Muscat, Agius Cutajar, Agius Scicluna, Agius Decelis and Agius Vadalà.

In Italy, Agius is very rare; it is present in only six municipalities.

17. Schembri

Schembri was the fourth most common name in Malta around 1419/1420, but had slipped to 15th place by 1687. Currently, 4,955 people bear this surname, or 1.2% of the population. Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Schembri Wismayer and Schembri Adami.

In Italy, Schembri is present in 199 municipalities. It is mainly present in Sicily, across the entire southern part of the island from Agrigente to Catane. The names counted in the North are probably the result of internal migration.

18. Abela

The Status Animarum of 1687 shows that 22.6% of all Abela resided in Żabbar. At present Abela is the most frequent surname in Żejtun and Għaxaq. 4,948 people bear this surname, or 1.2% of the population. Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Abela Caruana, Abela Medici, Abela Wilson, Abela Fitzpatrick, Abela Vassallo, Abela Wadge and Abela Scolaro.

Abela is represented in 39 Italian municipalities.

19. Fenech

In 1687, Fenech was in 17th place; its ranking has therefore not changed much. At present 4,758 people bear this surname, or 1.2% of the population. Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Fenech Adami, Fenech Azzopardi, Fenech Clarke, Fenceh Conti, Fenech Pace, Fenech Laudi and Fenech Soler.

Fenech exists in 33 Italian municipalities. Its main center appears to be the province of Palerme.

20. Pace

The Status Animarum of 1687 shows that 30.5% of all Pace originated from Żebbuġ-Siġġiewi (55). In this enumeration Pace is in 16th place among the most common names in Malta. At present 4,502 people bear this surname, or 1.1% of the population. Its numbers are further supplemented by several double names such as Pace Asciak, Pace Balzan, Pace Bardon, Pace Bonello, Pace Decesare, Pace Gazan, Pace Gouder, Pace Moore, Pace O'Shea and Pace Ross.

Pace is a very frequent surname in Italy; it has been counted in no fewer than 1,258 municipalities.

Notes:

This data is lifted from the website gens.labo.com.
The percentages for individual localities and regions are based on data provided by the aforementioned press release 'A Focus on Surnames' (NSO, 5/6/06); hence the figures are subject to slight modifications.
Fiorini (1986), p. 65.
Fiorini (1986), p. 65.
Fiorini (1986), p. 65.
Fiorini (1986), p. 65.
Fiorini (1986), p. 65.

Text published with the kind permission of Mario CASSAR