Submitted by Manuel Psaila
Coat of Arms Submitted by Geoff Sultana
Apparently the Spiteri name is a corruption of the word Hospitalieri, which is what the Knights of St. John were called. They used to take care of orphans or unwanted children that were left anonymously at their hospital (you can see the special rotating door set in the walls of the hospital in Mdina). Some of these children were the offspring of the knights themselves, since some of them did not live up to their vows of chastity. Anyway, these orphans would grow up to work in the hospital also. They were called the Hospitalieri, for lack of family names of their own. Eventually, the name was shortened to Spiteri. Can't tell if the story is true or not, but it makes some sense. Hey, Spiteris may be related to the blue bloods of Europe!!
Info Submitted by Susan Spiteri
The Surname SPITERI in the early fifteenth Century.
In the paper The Militia List of 1419-20 by Dr Godfrey Wettinger published in the Melita Historica - issued by the Malta Historical Society - (Volume V issue # 2 of 1969), we find that the surname SPITERI was in existance as early as 1419. Formerly, it as known as common gossip that the surname came into existance with the coming of the Knights of the Hospital of Saint John.
In this list we find that 12 members of the Dejma carried this surname out of 1 667 listed fellow comrades-in-arms.
These were :
| Name |
Locality |
Present Day Placename |
| Parisi Spiteri |
Casali Gregori et Samudi |
Gharghur |
| Jakinu Spiteri |
Casali Naxaru |
Naxxar |
| Nuzu Spiteri |
Casali Calleya et Mosta |
Mosta |
| Aluysi Spiteri |
Casali Calleya et Mosta |
Mosta |
| Antoni Spiteri |
Casali Curmi |
Qormi |
| Janinu Spiteri |
Casali Gudia |
Gudija |
| Marcu Spiteri |
Casali Zuricu |
Zurrieq |
| Bernardu Spiteri |
Casali Zuricu |
Zurrieq |
| Giliu Spiteri |
Casali Zuricu |
Zurrieq |
| Pini Spiteri |
Casali Bubakira et Backari |
Bubaqra and Bakkari L\O Zurrieq |
| Cannu Spiteri |
Casali Leu et Carendi |
Qrendi |
| Custanzu Spiteri |
Rabat |
Rabat |
With this information in hand we can safely dismiss the traditional gossip that the origin of the surname Spiteri was that of foundlings from the HoSPIT[ERI]al.
Info Submitted by Joseph M. Meli
What concrete proof have you got that the name SPITERI is a corruption of the word hospital. I "ran" the SpiteriKinship Forum to study the origin of such a name, together with the History of Malta that might lead to prove it.
I find certain statements that we Spiteri's are the offshoot of some sordid beginning very offensive. I am of the opinion that you should modify your text.
Submitted by Emanuel-Charles SPITERI
Click here to see how Spiteris are spread in Italy
Download the family tree Counts of Byzant
Johannes Spiteri, Bendu Spiteri Domenico Spiteri of Naxxar ,
Antonio
Spiteri and Philippes Spiteri of unidentifed town
went to Gozo during
the repopulation of 1565-80
Submitted by COUNT CHARLES DE BRANCHEFORTE SAID
Spiteri-Debono family of Zejtun descendants of the Noble Baroness.
Submitted by Steve John Felix Ciantar
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| Spiteri Ancestry Postings |
View the Spiteri Ancestry Book Here
- The Late Brother Alfred Spiteri - (Former Headmaster of Stella Maris College)
- Fr Bonaventura Spiteri - (1850-1907), benefattur tal-Provincja Rumana.
- Carmelo Spiteri - (Eminent school teacher at the Senglea
Elementary School System. Through his
classes have passed some of the more
prominent, Doctors, Lawyers and members
of the Clergy.)
- Fr. Donat Spiteri OFM Cap - ( (13-10-22-) Biblical Scholar.
He was professor of biblical studies (New Testament) in the faculty of
theology at UM (1966-88). A co-founder of the Malta Bible Society in 1958,
he has served as its president (1988-) and as a member of the comission for
the translation of the Bible in Maltese (since 1966) and co-translator of
several parts of this Bible. Served as parish priest of Holy Trinity parish,
Marsa (1958-67) and of Our lady of Lourdes parish in San Gwann (1983-91).
Fr Donat Spiteri has published several biblical studies and his most popular
work is Kliem il-Hajja - daily readings of the Bible with notes and
reflections, a four monthly publication since 1974.
- Mgr. Francesco Spiteri Agius - (1824-87), fundatur ta'l-Istituzzjonijiet tal-Madonna tal-Provvidenza.
- Fr Giorgio Spiteri - (died 1941), patri dummnikan.
- Fr Giovanni Antonio Spiteri - (19th century), Patri Frangiskan tal-Minuri Konventwali.
- Fr. Guzepp Spiteri Fremond - (1804-78), muzicista kompozitur.
- Jaime Spiteri - (Figure Skater - Was London champion at the age of 13 and ranked 4th British junior ice skating championships at 14 and 6th in the British championships at 18.)
- John Spiteri Sacco - (1907-) skultura, pittur, poeta
- Joseph Spiteri - (1920-), Politician.
- Joseph Spiteri - (originally from Sliema. Died tragically on 25/11/2000. Last resided in Sydney Australia. He was quite famous in Australia and overseas. He was recognised as one of the best bird breaders in the world. (Goldfinches and Greenfinches were his love)a passion he had from a child when he lived in Malta. He would go trapping with his grandfather. He was famous around the world for his talent for breeding hybreds. In the bird world he was known as "Joe the birdman". He was responsible for saving a breed of bird from extinction.
The African Siscan, which was No:1 on the endangered list around the world.
He was the only person able to breed them in captivity. There are now about
1000 of them and other people are now breeding them as well. This is
something he should definitely be remembered for.)
- Karl Spiteri - Maltese Composer & Singer
- Sr. Lea Spiteri - (Headmistress of St. Monica School in Qormi, Malta)
- Mgr. Lorenzo Spiteri - (1909-), mahtur Kappillan Konventwali.
- Lino Spiteri - (writer, columnist, economist and former politician.
published various collections of short stories, poems and a socio-political novel.
regular columnist, The Sunday Times and The Times of Malta.)
- Lino Spiteri - (TV and Radio and Redifusion personality in the 50s, 60s and 70s. ? At one time he was also a news anchorman. He may be best remembered for the programme Malta Decimali where the new decimal system of currency was introduced. He also hosted the show on the new pay as you earn tax system. They were both information shows to intro the Maltese on these new changes. He was also on stage for many plays.)
- Mary Spiteri - (Maltese Singer winner of the Malta Song for Europe Contest)
- Mikiel Spiteri - ((20.8.17) novelist, poet, essayist, painter, writes under the pen-name KILIN. His most popular work is a book of memories of his childhood during the twenties, "Fuq il-ghajn ta' San Bastjan" but the novel "l-Ghafrit", the collection of essays "Tlikki tlikki ma' Wenzu" and "Wayside chapels of Malta and Gozo" (in English, with a hundred pen sketches by the author) are worthy of mention. )
- Mike Spiteri - (Former Knight of the Order of St.John of Jerusalem . Died in 1996)
- Mike Spiteri - (Maltese Singer winner of the Malta Song for Europe Contest)
- Miriam Spiteri Debono - (Former speaker of the Maltese Parliament)
- Pietro Paolo Spiteri - (19th century), duttur tal-ligi u poeta maghruf f'Malta.
- Sean Spiteri - (Elvis impersonator)
- Sharleen Spiteri - (Lead singer of British Rock Group, Texas)
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