A quarter of the Maltese population possesses the top ten of 19,104 surnames in Malta and almost half (44%) of the top twenty-five surnames. How weird is that? While this seems to indicate that the Maltese are a hugely inbred lot, perhaps it is a simple indication that people with these family names were the first to populate the island and, therefore, the ones that spread far and wide, across the whole country.

We naturally got curious about the top ten surnames in Malta! Here’s the family name ‘Spiteri’ under the spotlight. It should be safe to say that most of these people are somehow related to each other…they were the first families to populate the island.

English pronunciation guide

Luckily for the Spiteris, this one’s not a tongue twister to utter. Just make sure you draw the ‘e’ in the middle for a while: ‘SPI - TÉH - RI - easy!

What is the origin of this surname?

The name is of Southern Italian and Greek origin with variations including Spitaro, Spitero, Spitiero, Spitari, Spiteri, Spitalari and others, such as Pitera, Spicer, Spier, Peri, Spilker, Spitzer, Speer, Spinner and Suiter. The earliest record was that of Luiza Spitero, identified on a marriage certificate dating 1824, but the name is probably much older. From the fall of the Roman Empire in 412 AD until the 20th century, there was very little record keeping of births, deaths and marriages.

What does 'Spiteri' mean?

Indeed, ‘Spiteri’ is a medieval Italian occupational surname derived from the Latin hospitarius, denoting someone who was employed at a lodging house (does ‘hospitality’ ring a bell?). Alternatively, it refers to the roasting spit, where a medieval village cook would prepare meals in quantity for sale to the public. Spataro, however, described a sword maker.

Where you’re most likely to find a Spiteri in Malta

The localities with the most Spiteris are Zejtun, Birkirkara and Qormi, which together have no less than 15.4% of all the islands’ inhabitants with that name! They are followed by Mosta, Fgura, San Gwann, Zabbar, Hamrun, St Paul’s Bay and Luqa. Interestingly, although Spiteri is also one of the top surnames in Gozo, there is no locality with a concentration worth noting.

Five Famous Spiteris

Renzo Spiteri, a very talented Maltese-born percussionist of international fame, well known for his unusual performances.

Mary Spiteri, an internationally known Maltese singer, stage performer and television personality. She won Malta third place in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Oliver Spiteri, former footballer (1986-2000) and football manager (2003-present) currently managing Naxxar Lions

Lino Spiteri, a Maltese writer and politician. He was known for his extensive contributions in local newspapers and served as Finance Minister with the Malta Labour Party (1981-1983 and 1996-1997).

Salvino Spiteri, founder of the Malta Workers' Union (UĦM), the major left-wing trade union in Malta.