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Submitted by Charles Said Vassallo

The Testaferrata family is a Maltese family of Italian origin. The Testaferratas are all descendants of one Arfio Capo di Ferro who changed his surname to Testaferrata after settling in Malta during the late 15th century. The family is divided into two main lines: namely the lines of Giacomo and Antonio, brothers Testaferrata whose father Mariano was made patrician of Messina in 1553. Both lines were accorded a number of privileges and immunities. The coat of arms common to all is a red bull on a white background. Antonio's line was very close to the Holy Inquisition in Malta. In fact the office of Depositario was invariably occupied by Antonio's descendants from which descend the baronial lines. This line through Paolo Testaferrata, was also conferred the privilege of Patrician of Rome (1590). The title of “Baron of Gomerino” was granted jointly to another Paolo and his wife Beatrice nee Cassia in 1710. Contemporary documents show that Paolo died in 1714 and his son Ercole Martino was invested in 1737 in the barony of Gomerino after his mother requested the then Grand Master to annex the said barony to a primogeniture already erected in favour of the same Ercole Martino. However, later publications report a different succession of the tenure of the property known as “Gomerino” viz. in 1713 in favour of Ercole’s brother Fabrizio who nominated his brother Ercole Martino to that property in 1744. In either case, this family is the first Maltese family to have been directly ennobled by a specific grant by the Grand Masters. In 1725, this line represented by the Baronessa di Gomerino Beatrice and the Barone di Cicciano Fabrizio was exempted from the general prohibition of the use of the titles of "Illustrissimo e Nobile". The latter exemption was subsequently extended to other families, some not necessarily titled.

The aforesaid dignity of Patrician of Messina was restored in 1792 to Pietro Paolo Testaferrata. Notable members of this line include Mgr. Pier Giacomo who in the 18th century was a Conventual Chaplain of the Order and held a Commandery within the priory of Bohemia; He was also conferred the dignity of patrician of the Citta' del Castello (1739) and Pietro Paolo Testaferrata Abela who was the 14th (and last) Depositario of the Holy Inquisition in Malta, the office being abolished following the French Occupation. This line displays on its shield a blue band showing three stars. From Giacomo’s descendants descend the marchional lines, neither title being Maltese in origin. The title of “Marquis of San Vincenzo Ferreri” was granted in 1716 and is taken to have been recognized in Malta in 1725. Contemporary documents show that the 1717 title of “Marquis Testaferrata” was recognized by the Grand Masters in Malta in favour of many of Mario’s descendants, but later publications refute any recognition whatsoever. This line was in 1637 conferred the title of “Nobilis Tornearji” (Hereditary Knight of the Holy Roman Empire). Like the other line, it enjoyed an exemption from the prohibition on the use of the titles of “Most Illustrious and Noble” and in 1792 it was also restored the dignity of Patrician of Messina (1792). Notable members of this line include Mario Testaferrata Castelletti who was a signatory to the act of capitulation of Malta to the French Republic in 1798 and who together with Pandolfo and Nicolo' Testaferrata de Noto made representations on behalf of the Maltese People to the King of England and his representatives. Giuseppe Vincenzo Testaferrata received a British knighthood. The holders of the titles of Marquis Testaferrata Olivier and Marquis Cassar de Sain are lineal male descendants of Giacomo. This line displays on its shield a gold band showing an eagle’s head, chest and wings. For more information see www.maltagenealogy.com

Submitted by Charles Said Vassallo

References:

Abela & Ciantar, Malta Illustrata, Malta 1780
Annuario della Nobilta Italiana, Pisa 1880-1884
Cassar Desain, Genealogia della famiglia Testaferrata, Malta 1880.
Farrugia Randon, Marquis Nicolo Testaferrata de Noto, 1993
Frendo, Maltese Political Development 1798-1964, 1993
Galea, Malta's Timeline, Malta.
Galluppi, Nobiliario della Citta di Messina, Napoli 1877.
Gauci, The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta, Malta, 1981 & 1992
Histoire generale des hommes vivants et des hommes morts dans le XIX siecle,Geneve 1864
Montalto, The Nobles of Malta 1530-1800, 1979

Testaferrata Ancestry Postings

View the Testaferrata Ancestry Book Here

Famous Testaferrata

• Antonio Testaferrata - (joint Depositario of the Malta Inquisition, 16th century)



• Pietro Testaferrata - (joint Depositario of the Malta Inquisition, 16th century, sole Depositario 16-17th century)



• Pasquale Testaferrata - (Depositario of the Malta Inquisition, 17th century)



• Paolo Testaferrata - (Depositario of the Malta Inquisition, Patrician of Rome, 17th century)



• Antonio Testaferrata - (Depositario of the Malta Inquisition, 17th century)



• Antonio Testaferrata - (Benefactor of the Malta Cathedral, and the Church of San Lorenzo, Birgu) (17th century)



• Gio Tomaso Testaferrata - (Procuratore dei Grani, 17th century)



• Giacomo Testaferrata - (Judge, Knight of the Holy Roman Empire, 17th century)



• Aldrovandino Testaferrata - (Knight of Malta, 17th century)



• Mario Testaferrata - (Procuratore dei Grani, 17th century, Marquis of San Vincenzo Ferreri, Marquis Testaferrata, 18th century)



• Paolo Testaferrata - (Depositario of the Malta Inquisition, Secreto to Grand Master Perellos, 17-18th century, Baron of Gomerino, 18th century)



• Fabrizio Testaferrata - (Baron of Castel Cicciano, 17th century, Depositario of the Malta Inquisition, Secreto to Grand Master Perellos, Capitano della Verga, 18th century)



• Ercole Testaferrata - (Depositario of the Malta Inquisition, Baron of Gomerino, 18th century)



• Paolo Testaferrata - (Depositario of the Malta Inquisition, 18th century)



• Vincenza Matilda Testaferrata - (Depositario of the Malta Inquisition, 18th century)



• Pier Giacomo Testaferrata - (Depositario of the Malta Inquisition, Conventual Chaplain, Patrizian of Citta’ del Castello, 18th century)



• Pietro Paolo Testaferrata - (Depositario of the Malta Inquisition, Patrician of Messina, 18th century)



• Gilberto Testaferrata - (page to Queen Isabella Farnese of Spain, 18th century)



• Giuseppe Testaferrata - (Baron of Tabria, 18th century)



• Giuseppe Giacomo Testaferrata - (author of In Obitu Caroli Tertii Regis Catholici Antea Siciliarum Oratio, 18th century)



• Mario Testaferrata - (Patrician of Messina, signatory to capitulation of Malta, 18th century, delegate of the Maltese People, 18-19th century)



• Pandolfo Testaferrata - (Patrician of Messina, delegate of the Maltese People, 18-19th century)



• Daniele Testaferrata - (Patrician of Messina, 18th century)



• Nicolo Testaferrata - (delegate of the Maltese People, 19th century)



• Giuseppe Vincenzo Testaferrata - (K.C.M.G., 19th century)




(n.b. for Cardinal Testaferrata, see Sceberras)

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