The study of Maltese surnames is quite fascinating. Prof. Godfrey Wettinger tells us how most of the surnames originated, while Prof. Ġużè Aquilina groups together surnames to where they are mainly found, such as Vella in Mellieħa, Borg in Birkirkara and Farrugia and Camilleri in Żurrieq. Now linguist Mario Cassar (‘Why most Maltese share the same 100 surnames’, The Sunday Times of Malta, February 9) is continuing this fascinating study.

I have been told that Vella came from Wella, which means to relinquish or to give away, suggesting someone relinquished his (Muslim) faith. Up to a few years ago, we had a family in Tarxien with the nickname of Ta’ Wellu. What about those Jewish surnames like Messina, Catania, Pavia, Siracusa and Cremona, which took their names from the town from which they originated?

I was told Calleja came from Mosta because of the nearby valley of Wied Qlejgħa and because in the Militia List of 1419, the majority of Callejas are to be found in Mosta.

What about Pullicino? Is it not the Italianised surname of Farrugia? What about those beginning with the prefix of De? Like Desira (of Sera), Degiorgio, Delia (son of Elijah), and so forth.

I would like to thank and congratulate Dr Cassar for continuing the fascinating study of Maltese surnames.