Origin & Meaning of the Maltese Surname
What does the last name Maltese mean?
The surname Maltese carries the meaning "Family name of European origin." It is derived from the European language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 1,887 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Maltese ranks as the #15,508 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Maltese come from?
The Maltese surname has its roots in European heritage. Names of European origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Maltese name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Maltese trace back to European. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Maltese |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Family name of European origin |
| Origin | European |
| Language | European |
| US Rank (2010) | #15,508 |
| US Count (2010) | 1,887 |
| Per 100K People | 0.64 |
| First Letter | M |
Ethnic Distribution of Maltese
According to the US Census, the Maltese surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 1,887 Americans with the Maltese last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 95.07% |
| Hispanic | 4.03% |
| Two or More Races | 0.32% |
Popularity of Maltese Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Maltese surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Maltese surname decreased by 10 between 2000 and 2010.
Discover Your Maltese Ancestry
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Similar Surnames to Maltese
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Maltese.
Other European Surnames
Explore more surnames with European roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same European origin as Maltese.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maltese
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