Origin of 10 most common Maltese surnames.

[Sikeliot]

This might give some hint as to the origins of the Maltese, for those of you who have any doubts.

Of the top 10 Maltese surnames... 6 are unquestionably Sicilian. Another is of pan-Southern Italian origin, though spelled the Maltese way. One is of Arabic origin, another is from a Biblical name, and one is unknown.

1. Borg -- Siculo-Norman, from Borgia, OR from Scandinavian surname "Borg"

2. Camilleri -- Palermo, Sicily

3. Vella -- Caltanissetta (Gela) and Agrigento, sicily

4. Farrugia -- Agrigento, Sicily

5. Zammit -- of Arabic origin.

6. Galea -- Catania, Sicily

7. Micallef -- from the given name Michael

8. Grech -- Maltese version of "Greco", common throughout southern Italy.

9. Attard -- Palermo, Sicily

10. Spiteri -- Agrigento (Licata), Sicily

[kitten]

My surname is of an ancient Greek descent however it's quite common in Southern Italy.

[Gaston]

One very famous actor/comedian in France of Maltese descent is Dominique Farrugia. You can google him for pics.

Recently converted to Judaism :picard1:, through his wife probably (and his comedian friends are Jewish too or married to Jews).

[Peyrol]

This might give some hint as to the origins of the Maltese, for those of you who have any doubts.

Of the top 10 Maltese surnames... 6 are unquestionably Sicilian. Another is of pan-Southern Italian origin, though spelled the Maltese way. One is of Arabic origin, another is from a Biblical name, and one is unknown.

1. Borg -- Siculo-Norman, from Borgia, OR from Scandinavian surname "Borg"

2. Camilleri -- Palermo, Sicily

3. Vella -- Caltanissetta (Gela) and Agrigento, sicily

4. Farrugia -- Agrigento, Sicily

5. Zammit -- of Arabic origin.

6. Galea -- Catania, Sicily

7. Micallef -- from the given name Michael

8. Grech -- Maltese version of "Greco", common throughout southern Italy.

9. Attard -- Palermo, Sicily

10. Spiteri -- Agrigento (Licata), Sicily

Attard isn't sicilian, looking at this map it's obviously a foreign surname.
And ''Borgia'' derived from catalan ''Borja'', it isn't sicilian.

http://www.gens.info/lib/cog/maps/cognomi-prov/A/ATTARD.gif

[Sikeliot]

Attard isn't sicilian, looking at this map it's obviously a foreign surname.

Attardo is though. And surprise, it's common near Agrigento and Caltanissetta.

http://www.gens.info/lib/cog/maps/cognomi/A/ATTARDO.gif