19,104 surnames in Malta - double-barrel surnames soar
The census held in Malta in 2011 recorded 19,104 different surnames of which Borg, Camilleri and Vella were the most common, covering almost 10 per cent of the population.
The National Statistics Office said that almost 14,000 residents, or 3.3 per cent of the total population, had a double-barrel surname, an increase of around 45 per cent compared to the 2005 Census, when 9,507 persons were enumerated as such. Of these, 2,917 residents, or 21.2 per cent, were non-Maltese.
Localities with the highest proportion of residents having a double-barrel surname were Mdina, with 15 per cent, followed by Swieqi (8.3 per cent), Balzan (8 per cent) and Tas-Sliema (7.7 per cent). Localities in Gozo recorded the smallest proportions of persons with a double-barrel surname.
Residents having a double-barrel surname tended to be relatively younger, with an average age of 32.4 years , compared to 40.8 for other residents.
MOST COMMON SURNAMES
The top ten surnames were identical in rank to those recorded in the 2005 Census, and accounted for almost one-fourth of the population. In particular, 13,610 persons, or 3.3 per cent of the population, bore the surname Borg, followed by Camilleri and Vella, with 13,090 and 12,192 persons respectively.
The top 20 surnames accounted for 38.6 per cent. No significant difference was observed on a gender level.
The top three surnames among non-Maltese nationals were the same as for their Maltese counterparts.
Additionally, the three most prevalent foreign surnames were Smith, Jones and
Brown, with less than 80 persons carrying each surname.
Interesting trends emerged at locality level. For instance, whereas the majority of the most common surnames, including Borg, Camilleri, Zammit, Galea, Micallef and Attard, were found in Birkirkara and Mosta, the largest two localities on the island, other popular surnames were most prevalent in smaller localities.
Grech, Farrugia and Spiteri are most likely to be found in Zabbar, Zurrieq and Zejtun respectively.
Interesting trends emerged among other less popular surnames, particularly in Gozo. For instance Mintoff, which ranks 144th at a national level, has the most common cluster in Ghasri, while DeBrincat is most concentrated in Munxar. Similarly, although Carabott is the third most common surname in Marsaxlokk, it places 94th nationwide.
"Such trends indicate that despite an increasingly mobile population, many surnames still have strong ties to specific localities, even in a relatively small country such as Malta," the NSO said.
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61 Comments
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j brincat
Jan 8th, 09:18
Just snobbishness!
jb
Pauline Thompson
Jan 8th, 23:26
100% spot on!!
Pule' Carmel
Jan 8th, 09:04
Once a very proud woman with a long long very long Double Barrel Name told me that she could not attend certain " Common entertainments for the public" , because SHE HAD TO LOOK AFTER HER NAME. I told her that Pule' is so short that I attend all public places which common people do enjoy in a communial sense. With such a short name I have nothing to lose!
Tony Borg
Jan 8th, 07:45
It would be highly interesting for the NSO to compile a list of nicknames for every village and town. The B'Kara local council had done it once, and I would like to get a copy of it.
It will be very interesting since these nicknames are also mentioned in court proceedings and other Newspaper articles too. After all they must be the root to most surnames too
Etienne Galea
Jan 7th, 21:23
What is important for SOME might be trivial for OTHERS. But remember that what is important for the OTHERS might be trivial for the SOME as well. Every piece of information has its purpose, value, and importance. Sometimes we just fail to see its collocation and value.....!
Tommy Vella
Jan 7th, 19:33
I was reminded of the joke where the mother calls her 10 sons Anthony.
When someone told her that it's a complication she replies: "No it's not, it simplifies my life."
"How?" she was asked.
"Simple" she replies, "When dinner's ready I just call Anthony and all of them come."
"But what do you do if you want to call the attention of one in particular?"
"I call him by surname."
Joseph Mifsud
Jan 7th, 19:26
Those who carry a double barreled surname cannot accept the fact that their surname sounds Maltese or Arabic. Do you know how many Aramaic or Arab Christian surnames we have in Malta? Just watch an Arab Christian TV station like the Lebanese Telelumiere or the Syriac Suryoyo Sat based in Sweden to know who we Maltese are.
G Schembri
Jan 8th, 01:06
It is becoming a trend for young newly weds to keep their surnames. Why shouldn 't a young woman add her surname to her husbands thus keeping her identity? This has nothing to do with being a snob or not accepting the sound of your surname, it has everything to do with a young woman being proud of her family name or needing to keep it for professional purposes.
Mr R.E. Saliba
Jan 8th, 12:44
@G Schembri
I don't agree. A woman's identity is defined by her character not her surname. And, to date, familial pride has not necessitated the retention of the previous surname . I also doubt that all those who opt for double barrelled surnames have jobs that fall under the category of professionals.
I think that it's a fad. Like tattoos, yet less physical, it's way to signify independence.
M. Avellino
Jan 7th, 17:30
I wonder if there are statistics for triple barrel. I know someone who not only puts down three surnames but also three names!
David Farrugia
Jan 7th, 19:35
Apap Bologna Sceberras d'Amico Inguanez actually exsits!
George Joseph Cauchi
Jan 7th, 20:50
People seeking attention, what else !!!!
Pavlaki Pano Aroditis
Jan 7th, 22:46
Well Mr Cauchi, if this is "people seeking attention" (you may be right), and if Borg, Camilleri and Vella are the 3 most common surnames, what would you say to my neighbour whose surname is "Vella-Borg Camilleri"? That he is triply common, or a triple snob? Or a triple parvenu? Or trizophrenic?
Peter Murray
Jan 7th, 16:43
How enlightening and refreshing to know that our hard-earned money is being spent by commissioning the NSO to research such highly significant and vital statistics as surnames and the convergence of these in specific localities.Why limit such ground-breaking research and provide the most common Christian/First names.These names don't appear in a current printed telephone directory-for 9 years now
Nik Dei Conti
Jan 7th, 17:21
Peter, its just a simple reporting story from the census itself, trivial information but something lighhearted that anyone who knows excel can run, not exactly budget bending
James J. Patton
Jan 7th, 19:38
Mr. Murray there you go again getting wound up over nothing, give yourself a well deserved rest and let others take the pressure/flack for a change, enjoy the paper for what it is, don't be so serious at every opportunity and feel you have to respond like a greyhound leaving trap one, life is too short as we all know.
We have an old saying here, your health is your wealth so make the best of it.
Joe Borg
Jan 7th, 20:00
Well said Nik...
Why does everyone have to always be so negative in this country!
Giorgio Greco
Jan 7th, 16:26
just FYI - In Spain and Portugal it is a requirement to have a double-barrel surname. I think it's used for equality purposes or whatever. Whenever two people with double barreled names have children, the children take the first surname from the dad and the first surname from the mother so they too remain double barreled - ex . Father Gomez Cordoba, Mother Rodriguez Sanchez - Child Gomez Rodriguez
Am Camilleri
Jan 7th, 15:56
I have Camilleri relatives who married other Camilleris and I have no idea whether they took their husband's name or kept their own :o) But thank goodness they didn't choose Camilleri Camilleri - and I wonder if Camilleri Squared was an option?!
Mr C Camilleri
Jan 7th, 16:16
I can imagine the people's look on their faces when someone tells them Camilleri Camilleri ! They will be like "YES I UNDERSTOOD ITS CAMILLERI, NO NEED TO SAY IT TWICE !" and the other one replies "NO ITS CAMILLERI CAMILLERI !"
I think it will be considered a mistake by many people when they see Camilleri written twice. Thank God in my family we went for only 1 Camilleri when that happened. :)
ANTHONY PAVIA
Jan 7th, 16:38
I know of someone who proudly carried the surname of "Borg Borg".
mike Dobson
Jan 7th, 15:55
Since we are on the subject of surnames, we just retired to Gozo,& by Joe every other surname is BUTTIGIEG, can anyone please put us in the picture, A Maltese friend told us at the airport that 75% of Gozitans are intermarried, apparently years ago they marrierd within their immediate family sister/aunty, brother/uncle whatever, hence the name stayed in the family, this explains similar features.
Mano' Xerri
Jan 7th, 16:28
A very good question Sir, i too am very interested to know, why there are so many with the same surname on a small island of Gozo, this perhaps count why so many Gozitans own properties and are filthy rich its all kept within the circle of families, i might be wrong of course, but it sure points to the fact most as intermarried, anyone with more info gratefully welcomed for my project & local census.
Reg Fitzpatrick
Jan 7th, 21:09
We retired here to Gozo in 2005 Mike.
I always wanted to retire to Malta after hearing lots of stories about it from a fellow RAF policeman at RAF Debden, England in the 1960s. I would love to trace him to thank him and renew our friendship but have no chance of finding him!
Why? His name was Joseph Buttigieg!!!!
Does anyone know him from the above history???????
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 7th, 15:12
Way not we add the nicknames to, so it will be more complicated
Giov DeMartino
Jan 7th, 17:23
Nicknames SIMPLIFY the situation. In Mosta, eg.. there are hundreds of Vellas Without a nickname you have NO chance of finding the correct Vella
Alan Deidun
Jan 7th, 14:49
....whilst just 0.004%, of the total population, or one every 25,000 citizens, bear the surname Deidun - on the other hand, Daidone, its root, it quiet common in Sicily, with the first local documented occurrence of Daidone, leading to Dajdun and to Deidun eventually being 1675!
Amante Reale
Jan 7th, 16:42
Why do you think anyone cares?
J Gouder
Jan 7th, 17:31
@anante reale.. Why are you so rude?? This is just an interesting and good natured discussion on Maltese surnames.. it could be of interest to people researching their own surname/family history.. If it doesn't interest you then just ignore the article..no need to post rude and uncalled for comments!!
B. Farrugia
Jan 7th, 20:50
I care.
Charles DeMicoli
Jan 7th, 22:28
Amante, speak for yourself, be nice.
I too am very interested to find out how Maltese last names came to be and what the origin is. Our last names came from many countries and it would be interesting to find out where in the world all our last names came from.
I mean a scientific study that does not have to list the entire family tree for every last name. For that, I went to a genealogist.
Lina Caruana
Jan 7th, 14:39
It is interesting to note that in spite of geographical mobility the tie to locality is still prevalent maybe the effect of numerous siblings in the family has not worn off. More foreign surnames will be added while others from small families will go extinct like many others did.
Natasha Vella
Jan 7th, 14:06
What men need to understand is that it is hard for women to give up their maiden surname as this signifies giving part of their identity.
It is understandable that women feel the need to keep the maiden name as well as adding the husband's surname since this signifies new ties and starting a new family whilst also sharing the surname with her future children....
Mr C Camilleri
Jan 7th, 14:42
Oh come on ! Its part of becoming a family ! The man being the head of the family keeps the surname. If you are so worried about such a silly thing then why dont you mention that in the case of a divorce the woman ALWAYS takes priority in keeping the child ???
Where are equal right in that ?
Mark Falzon
Jan 7th, 14:47
Anyway it still doesn't make any sense. What if a Farrugia Sacco ends up marrying a Fenech Falzon. Her surname becomes Fenech Falzon Farrugia Sacco or vice versa. Simply ridiculous.
S. Calleja
Jan 7th, 15:02
When I got married I've insisted with my wife to keep her maiden surname (I never saw the point of changing one's own surname), but she categorically refused. So yes, some of us do understand, but still...
Marc Cassar
Jan 7th, 16:04
@ Natasha Vella
further to what Mr. Marc Falzon wrote, when the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Fenech Falzon Farrugia Sacco meets and eventually marries her boyfriend... Mr. Cassar Borg Xuereb, she can have the following surname:- Mrs.Cassar Borg Xuereb Fenech Falzon Farrugia Sacco.
get a real life!!!!
Charles DeMicoli
Jan 7th, 22:21
Natasha, when my daughter was getting married a couple of years ago, she told me that she would like to keep her last name and use a double barreled last name, being that DeMicoli is very rare in the US. She was trying to keep the last name going, so to speak. I assured her that there was no need for that. A double barreled last name can be cumbersome in this digital age. She agreed.
Mr R.E. Saliba
Jan 8th, 12:59
@Natasha Vella
What I understand from your comment is that you believe that women retain their maiden surname as a psychological crutch when considering getting married. Any union that needs that kind of boost stands on very shaky grounds.
John Scerri
Jan 7th, 13:56
This new custom should be regulated once and for all.
Modern Technology should make things more simple for one to comprehend .
Some people take pleasure make things complicated .
Alfred J. McEwen
Jan 7th, 13:54
Very soon there will be more double barreled surnames like Nkosi Se Se and Matuki Swaza etc for instance they will be very common in this country in a few years time easily 50% of the popular surnames.
J Pace
Jan 7th, 15:38
Globalisation
stephen koludrovic
Jan 7th, 17:05
You can add multiculturalism in diversity to that.
Mary Tanti
Jan 7th, 19:43
"You can add multiculturalism in diversity to that" said Stephen Koludrovic the man with the very traditional and old Maltese name and surname! Hello kettle and pot comes to mind!
Alfred J. McEwen
Jan 8th, 14:29
@ J Pace
You don`t get it do you ?
R. Borg Ellul Vincenti
Jan 7th, 13:18
Interesting to have some statistics on triple barrel (and more) surnames as well
V. Cauchi
Jan 7th, 12:40
A multiple element surname bears a greater chance of being mispelt in a summons and so justify your non suit in court. Unlike a simple, readable, numberless car registration number, which can be more of a bane, a mispelt name can give you cause to plead nonidentity.
stephen koludrovic
Jan 7th, 12:36
And when a double barrel name marries another double barrel, will we end up with a four barrel name?
Aristide Galea
Jan 7th, 13:37
No Stephen , they end up as multibarrel . You know like a multibarrel machine gun .
Martin Saliba
Jan 7th, 14:27
There was one not long ago by a public figure . It was ridiculus .
C Cassar
Jan 7th, 12:21
Many people in Malat have delusions of grandeur. A double barreled name does not make one any better in social terms as so many believe.
I Bugeja
Jan 7th, 12:29
If you want to comment about a name make sure to write your country right!
And regarding your comment, what's in a name? Some people choose to keep both surnames as it is part of their family's history.
John Scerri
Jan 7th, 12:30
So right you are C.Cassar . Totally agree.
Beth White
Jan 7th, 12:34
Having a double barreled name does not make anyone better or of a higher status....I too have a double barrel name and i definatley dont feel superior. I only chose that option as it was my dad's wish as my maiden name was dwindling.
Mr Tony Gatt
Jan 7th, 12:34
True, but with so many having the same surname it helps to distinguish people. I do notice, however, that people with double-barrelled surnames in Malta tend not to use the hyphen between surnames as is done in the U.K.
M. Zammit
Jan 7th, 12:39
Many Maltese women who have got married these last few years are keeping both their husband's and their maiden surname, hence the surge in double-barrel surnames
J Pace
Jan 7th, 13:03
C. Cassar:
I think you'll find that these people do not believe they are "better" at all. That's just a misconception in most cases.
Most have just inherited these surnames anyway. Even if not, many do so for professional or other reasons such as to be more recognisable.. and why not, on an island where 38% share 20 surnames?!
This is quite a common practice in Mediterranean countries anyway.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Jan 7th, 13:07
M Zammit, a liberated woman does not take on her husband's surname. C Cassar may well be right. Some Maltese women as well as men (and I do emphasize 'some') have delusions of grandeur. I note the tedious and petty Maltese custom that you have taken on in criticising people for misspelling words. Perhaps you should focus more on the construction of your sentences.
Charles Cremona
Jan 7th, 14:00
The name Cassar comes from the arab name Cassier.
Joe Felice-Pace
Jan 7th, 15:44
J Pace is right when he says that "many do so for professional or other reasons such as to be more recognisable". Two generations ago there were the Felice's in Valletta. The children went into business and created Felice Pace, Felice Morina, Felice Busuttil. The latter two surnames did not have a long life.
Pierre Micallef-Grimaud
Jan 7th, 16:10
@ Mr Tony Gatt
I had made some research about hyphenated double-barreled surnames where I once read that if the double-barreled surname belonged to one's father, then a hyphen is used. If it's derived from both father and mother's surnames (combined), then the double-barreled surname is not hyphenated.
Please choose the reason of your report below: