A cognominal profile of Gozo : past and present

Abstract

The aim of this article is twofold. First of all, it seeks to shed light on ‘Gozitan surnames’ from a historical point of view, concentrating mainly on the Medieval and the Early Modern Periods. It then seeks to deliver a concise overview of Gozo’s current onomastic scenario. It attempts to address a number of questions, such as: Which are the oldest ‘Gozitan surnames’? Why have many medieval surnames disappeared from the present onomasticon? In what way did the cognominal pool change after the debacle of 1551? Is the present Gozitan onomasticon that different from the Maltese one? Which are the commonest surnames in modern-day Gozo? Do Gozitan localities exhibit any idiosyncrasies within their cognominal repertoire? Which are the main sources available to contemporary family historians and surname researchers?