Maltese nobility

A portrait of Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc. He created many new titles, including the first Maltese title of marquis (Scriop el Hagin). The Royal Commissioners remarked that not all titles created by him were hereditary and that of the rest some have much wider remainders. In 1795 Rohan amended the legislation previously enacted by Grand Master Despuig.

A portrait of Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena. In 1725, he curtailed the abuse of the titles of "Most Illustrious" and "Noble". Vilhena also created the new titles of Barone della Marsa, Barone di San Marciano and Barone della Tabria. The Royal Commissioners credited Vilhena with being the first to directly recognize the titles of Barone di Djar il-Bniet et Bucana, Barone di Cicciano and Marchese di San Vincenzo Ferreri.

The Maltese Nobility was a complex structure of documented titles of nobility and other hereditary rights favouring certain local families which was governed by a system of grants, registrations and other recognitions made by the Grand Masters of the Order of Saint John during its Government of Malta (1530-1798).

Although suzerainty over Malta was retained by the King of Sicily in the sense that the annual payment of a falcon was made as a feudal due, in reality Malta, under the Knights, had the principal attributes of a sovereign state, and therefore the power to bestow titles.

The Maltese Nobility

According to the Report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the claims of the Maltese Nobility (published 1878), there were three categories of titles of nobility which enjoy precedence in Malta, the first being those created by the Grand Masters of the Order of Saint John during its Government of Malta (1530-1798), the second are those created by previous sovereigns of the islands but were accepted by the government of the Order, and the third are those which were bestowed upon Maltese in foreign jurisdictions but were accepted by the government of the Order. The three categories are described below.

As for the remaining category (the fourth), the Commission also concluded that the Grand Masters assigned no place to title-holders who had obtained titles from foreign sovereigns, but whose patents were not duly registered or at least directly recognised by the Grand Masters during their government of the Maltese Islands. The third and fourth category make up the original Foreign titles of nobility in Malta.

Political map of Europe circa 1740 showing the Maltese Islands as independent of Sicily and Spain. At that time, the Grand Master was Ramon Despuig to whom is credited the new titles of Barone di Culeja, Barone di Benuarrat and Barone di Frigenuini and the 1739 rules of precedence amongst the Maltese Nobility. He also oversaw the succession of the title of Barone di Gomerino.

The Grand Masters legislated on matters relating to the Maltese Nobility as a general body on 16 September 1739 (Despuig) and the 17 March 1795 (Grand Master Rohan). The legislation of the 30 April 1725 (Vilhena) is regarded as specific to the individual beneficiaries mentioned further below. These legislations are all mentioned in the Commissioners’ Report.

The nobility was abolished by Napoleon Bonaparte but some 80 years later it regained an official status. The Maltese Nobility is unique in the British Commonwealth because it is the only European nobility to have been examined by a British Royal Commission appointed for that purpose. A handful of Foreign titles are regarded as considering part of the Maltese Nobility. Nowadays Malta is a Republic and titles of Nobility are officially no longer recognized.

The 1739 legislation reads as follows:

       “The Master of the Hospital at Jerusalem and of the Holy Sepulchre – To remove
       differences about precedency among the persons who will be appointed to the  
       Juratships of the Universities of Notabile and Valletta, it is our will and 
       pleasure, and we ordain and command, that they shall all be preceded by the 
       undermentioned and that among the latter the precedency be regulated in the 
       following order, namely:
          First: Any person who was Capitano della Verga of the said City Notabile and of 
          our Island of Malta.
          Second: the 'Titolato having a title founded on a fief really existing here,  
          though he may not be in possession of it'.
          Third: The Titolato who has not a title founded upon a fief really existing in 
          our dominions, on the registration of the title in the Chancery of our 
          Religion, and in the High Court of the Castellania, and the payment, for the 
          respective registrations, of 116 scudi of our money, to be divided in equal 
          shares between the said Chancery and Castellania.
          Fourth: A 'descendant in the male line from any person who was Capitano della 
          Verga, if he lives on rents of his own property, and if his intermediate 
          ancestors lived also on the rents of their own property'.
          Fifth: A 'descendant in the male line from a Titolato, with title founded on 
          a fief really existing here, if he lives on rent of his own property, and if his 
          intermediate ancestors lived also on such rent.
          Sixth: Any person who was First Jurat of Notabile.
          Seventh: Any person who was First Jurat of Valletta.
          Eighth: The most senior Jurat of the University to which he belongs.
          Ninth: Any person who was Judge of Appeal, Criminal Judge, or Civil Judge of 
          the Court of the Castellania, or the Courts Capitanale and Governatoriale.
          Tenth: A Doctor of Law, or a Doctor of Medicine. 
       We declare that, among persons of equal rank, the antiquity of the original 
       title must be attended to, and that a person who was a Jurat, if he be appointed 
       Console di Mare, shall have precedence over other Consoli, and amongst the latter 
       the precedency shall be regulated by the antiquity of the appointment.
       Given at the Palace, 16th September 1739 (Signed) Despuig”

The 1795 legislation reads as follows:

        “The Master of the Hospital at Jerusalem, of the Holy Sepulchre and of the Order  
        of St. Anthony of Vienna – It being a principle universally acknowledged that the 
        lustre of Nobility principally depends on its greater antiquity, nothing is more 
        just and reasonable than that the older Nobles should have precedence over the more 
        recent. We have therefore determined to ordain that, in regulating the precedency 
        among the Nobles of this our dominion, whether first-born or cadets 
        indiscriminately, regard shall be had only to the greater or lesser 
        antiquity of the title by which their family was ennobled, whether that title had 
        been granted by ourselves or by our predecessors, or by foreign princes, provided 
        however, it was registered in our Chancery, and in the High Court of the 
        Castellania. In cases, however, of grants bearing the same date, the person 
        possessing two or more titles, shall have precedence over another who has less 
        titles, according to the rule established by the magisterial decree of our 
        lamented predecessor, Grand Master Despuig of the 16th September 1739, which in any 
        part not inconsistent with our present enactment, we confirm in its entirety. Given 
        at the Palace, 17th March 1795 (signed) Rohan.”

The 1725 legislation reads as follows:

        “Of Titles – Prammatica – His Most Serene Highness in virtue of the present 
        enactment, about to be of perpetual value, wishing to remedy the abuses and 
        inconveniences for time introduced in the matter of title, - orders and commands 
        that from today henceforth, no Advocate, Notary, or Registrar of this our 
        Dominion, shall dare to give the title of “Most Illustrious” or “Noble” in 
        writings, contracts, or public documents to any of our vassals, with the exception 
        of the “Capitano della Verga”, pro tempore, and the two Jurats of our city of 
        Notabile and Valletta, and the Milite Barone Marco Antonio Inguanez, our Feudatory, 
        with the Baroness Inguanez, his wife, and their descendants, under pain in case of 
        contravention, as regards advocates of suspension, and as regards Notaries and 
        Registrar, of privation of office, and other penalties at pleasure of His Most 
        Serene Highness, 30th day of the month of April 1725. 
        The present enactment was read and published in the usual and customary public 
        places in the cities of Valletta, Vittoriosa, Senglea and Burmula with sound of 
        trumpet, the people in part assembled, listening and understanding, the Registrar 
        himself M.C. Castelle reading, and Joseph Vella, crying in a loud and intelligible 
        voice.”

Titles of Nobility in Malta - First Category

A portrait of Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful. He created the titles of Barone di Gomerino and Barone di Budacco which are the oldest of the titles in the first category later considered by the British Royal Commissioners. The Royal Commissioners did not consider a claim by Giuseppe De Piro that the title of Budacco was extinct.

With little exception, each title created by the Grand Masters is regulated by its own grant. Some grants were made in perpetuity, others on a personal basis, some allow females to hold them and some limit succession to males only. Most of the hereditary ones are subject to investiture. However Montalto reports that although some successors failed to get invested, this did not always bring about a forfeiture.

Of those grants which provided for a remainder , the earlier ones allow only singular succession whilst some of the later ones (notably creations by Grand Master Rohan) had wider remainders.

The remainder of some grants was made subject to private entails or primogenitura (a type of Trust which determines the mode of succession of certain properties) already held by the grantees, e.g. In their Report the Royal Commissioners identified the title of Conte della Catena as one which was to follow the order of succession stated in a masculine primogeniture established by the Canon Alessandro Perdicomati Bologna.

The Royal Commission remarked that very few titles of this category require the tenure of the property, explaining that in most cases the titles were merely honorific, the property/fief remaining in possession of the Government or of its allodial owner, e.g. although the title of Barone di Budac was created in 1716 in favour of Gio Pio De Piro, the property by that name – the fief of Budac - which had previously been enfeoffed in favour of Nicolo Cilia in 1644 was not granted to the Depiro family.

Even if possession of the property coincided in the person of the possessor of the title of nobility of the same name, the later transfer of that property did not affect the tenure of the title of nobility, e.g. when Beatrice Testaferrata transferred the allodial fief of Gomerino unto her son Fabrizio in 1713, she remainded officially in possession of the title of Barone di Gomerino and was succeded by her other son Ercole Martino as results from the acts of 1725 and 1737.

The titles and investitures made by the Grand Masters are detailed in Table 1 below:-

TABLE 1 (First Category). List of titles and investitures made by the Grand Masters (source: Montalto ‘Nobles of Malta’ and 'Copies or Extracts of Correspondence with reference to the Maltese Nobility (In Continuation of C-3812) presented to the House of Lords by Command of Her Majesty, May 1886, sub-Enclosure in Enclosure No. 3 in the letter from Governor Simmons to The Earl of Derby dated 28 October 1884':- NOTE: there are variances of 1 year in regard to some titles: This is because in the libri bullarum and libri conciliorum of the Archives of the Order, the reckoning of time differs from other dating. The years begin on the 25 March for the new year, and therefore between Christmas (25 December) and Lady Day (25 March), the reckoning of time just proceeds with the current year, adding the term ‘ab Incarnatione’. Thus 1 January 1501 would be reckoned as 1 January 1500 ab Incarnatione and so on until 24 March next day will be 25 March 1501.) .

Title of Nobility	Created/invested by	In favour of	Date of creation/succession	A.O.M. Reference	Date of Investiture
Barone Testaferrata di Gomerino	created by Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful	in favour of Paolo and Beatrice Testaferrata (jointly)	on the 24 December 1710	Reference A.O.M. 514, ff. 129v-134v.	They were invested on the 10 January 1711
Barone De Piro di Budac	created by Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful	in favour of Gio Pio De Piro	on the 23 April 1716	Reference A.O.M. 520, ff. 151r, 161r-161v.	He was invested on 25 April 1716
right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile	conferred by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena	on Milite Barone Marc' Antonio Inguanez and his wife Baroness Inguanez	on the 30 April 1725	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile	conferred by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena	on Barone di Cicciano Fabritio Testaferrata and his mother the Baronessa di Gomerino Beatrice Cassia Testaferrata	on the 11 May 1725	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
Barone Castelletti della Marsa	created by Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena	in favour of Ferdinando Castelletti	on the 12 June 1725	Reference A.O.M. 529 ff. 140r-140v	He was invested on 19 June 1725.
right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile	conferred by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena	on Marchese di San Vincenzo Ferreri Mario Testaferrata	on the 9 July 1725	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile	conferred by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena	on Carlo Falzon and Eleonora Testaferrata	on the 13 June 1726	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
Barone Galea Feriolo di San Marciano	created by Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena	in favour of Diego Antonio Galea Feriolo	on the 14 June 1726	A.O.M. 530, ff. 135r-135v	He was invested on the 17 August 1726.
right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile	conferred by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena	on Barone di San Marciano Diego Galea Feriolo	on the 2 September 1726	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile	conferred by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena	on Barone Barone Gio Pio de Piro	on the 19 March 1727	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
Barone Viani della Tabria	created by Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena	in favour of Isidoro Viani	on the 11 December 1728	Reference A.O.M. 532, ff. 139v-140r	He was invested on the 21 December 1728.
right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile	conferred by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena	on Canon Giuseppe di Costanzo and Donna Rosa widow of Gio Battista di Costanzo	on the 24 May 1729	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile	conferred by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena	on Barone Isidoro Viani	on the 27 June 1730	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile	conferred by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena	on Baldassare Bonnici	on the 13 January 1732	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile	conferred by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena	on Calcerano Mompalao, Giuseppe and Caterina Cuschieri	on the 6 March 1732	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile	conferred by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena	on D. Vincenzo Platamone and Antonio Bonnici	sometime between 27 June 1730 and 13 January 1732 (implied: see Copies or Extracts of Correspondence with reference to the Maltese Nobility (In Continuation of C-3812) presented to the House of Lords by Command of Her Majesty, May 1886, sub-Enclosure in Enclosure No. 3 in the letter from Governor Simmons to The Earl of Derby dated 28 October 1884)	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
title of Barone di Gomerino	invested by Grand Master Ramon Despuig	in favour of the Noble Ercole Martino Testaferrata	created by Perellos on the 24 December 1710 (see above). The investiture refers to a private deed dated 1734.	Reference A.O.M. 541, ff. 184r	He was invested on the 1 May 1737
Barone Bonnici della Culeja	created by Grand Master Ramon Despuig	in favour of Ignazio Bonnici	on the 2 June 1737	Reference A.O.M. 541, ff. 188r-188v	He was invested on the same day.
Barone Gatto di Benuarrat	created by Grand Master Ramon Despuig	in favour of Saverio Gatto	on the 18 August 1737	Reference A.O.M. 541, ff, 191r-191v.	He was invested on the same day.
right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile	conferred by Grand Master Ramon Despuig	on Barone Saverio Gatt	on the 23 August 1737	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
Barone Mompalao di Frigenuini (First Creation)	created by Grand Master Ramon Despuig	in favour of Alessandro Mompalao	on the 17 September 1737	Reference A.O.M. 541, ff. 197r-197v	He was invested on the same day.
right to be styled Illustrissimo	conferred by Grand Master Manuel Pinto de Fonseca	on Signor Ludovico Bianchi	on the 25 October 1741	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
Conte Muscati Falsone Navarra della Bahria	created by Grand Master Manuel Pinto de Fonseca	in favour of Ignazio Muscati Falsone Navarra	on the 16 May 1743	Reference A.O.M. 547, ff. 165r-166r	He was invested on the 23 May 1743.
Conte Perdicomati Bologna della Catena	created by Grand Master Manuel Pinto de Fonseca	in favour of Pietro Gaetano Perdicomati Bologna	on the 20 January 1745. The grant subjected the title to a private agnatic entail established by Canon Don Alessandro Perdicomati Bologna	Reference A.O.M. 549, ff. 174r-174v	He was invested on the 20 January 1745.
title of Barone di San Marciano	invested by Grand Master Manuel Pinto de Fonseca	in favour of the Noble Lorenzo Galea Feriol	created by Vilhena on the 14 June 1726 (see above)	Reference A.O.M. 553, ff. 133v	He was invested on the 9 June 1749
Barone Azzopardi Casteletti della Marsa (Second creation)	created by Grand Master Manuel Pinto de Fonseca	in favour of Giovanni Antonio Azzopardi Castelletti	on the 4 December 1753	Reference A.O.M. 557, ff. 175r-176v.	He was invested on the 13 January 1754.
Barone Pisani di Frigenuini (Second creation)	created by Grand Master Francisco Ximenes de Texada	in favour of Gaetano Pisani	on the 17 June 1773	Reference A.O.M. 577, ff. 195v-196r.	He was invested on the 21 June 1773.
Marchese Muscati Xiberras di Sciorp il-Hagin	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Claudio Muscati Xiberras	on the 8 March 1776	Reference A.O.M. 579, ff 344r-344v.	He was invested on the 14 March 1776.
Barone Dorell Falzon della Marsa (Third creation)	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Gio Francesco Dorell Falzon	on the 10 March 1776	Reference A.O.M. 579, ff. 345r-346v.	He was invested on the 14 March 1776.
Barone Azzopardi di Buleben	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Gaetano Azzopardi	on the 23 July 1777	Reference A.O.M. 581, ff. 246v-247r.	He was invested on the 27 July 1777.
title of Barone di Buleben	extended by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	-	created by Rohan on the 23 July 1777 (see above)	Extended on the 25 April 1778	-
Marchese Barbaro di San Giorgio	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Carlo Antonio Barbaro	on the 6 September 1778	Reference A.O.M. 582, ff. 282v-283v	He was invested on the 23 September 1778.
title of Marchese di San Giorgio	extended by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	-	created by Rohan on the 6 September 1778 (see above)	Extended on the 2 February 1779	-
Barone Gauci	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Francesco Gauci	on the 23 December 1781	Reference A.O.M. 585, ff. 107r.).	No record of investiture.
title of Barone di Benuarrat	invested by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Emmanuele Muscati on behalf of his wife[Paola	created by Despuig on the 18 August 1737 (see above)	Reference A.O.M. 1194, ff. 49r-50r, 52r-57r	He was invested on the 20 February 1783
Conte Gatt di Beberrua	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Luigi (Ludovico) Gatt	on the 23 October 1783	Reference A.O.M. 587, ff. 294r-299r.).	He was invested on the 14 December 1783.
Marchese Mompalao della Taflia	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Gio Battista Mompalao	on the 25 October 1783	Reference A.O.M. 587, ff, 294v, 299r.).	He was invested on the 24 December 1783.
title of Barone della Tabria	invested by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani	created by Vilhena on the 11 December 1728 (see above)	Reference A.O.M. 589, ff, 323r	He was invested on the 22 October 1784
Marchese Mallia Tabone del Fiddien	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Salvatore Mallia Tabone	on the 15 October 1785	Reference A.O.M. 591, ff. 263r-264r.).	He was invested on the 3 November 1785.
title of Barone di Buleben	invested by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Calcedonio Azopardi	created by Rohan on the 23 July 1777 (see above)	Reference A.O.M. 582, ff. 264r	He was invested on the 10 August 1788
Marchese Alessi della Taflia	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Saverio Alessi	on the 15 October 1785	Reference A.O.M. 609, ff, 183v-184r.).	He was invested on the 17 November 1790.
title of Barone di San Marciano	invested by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of the Noble Giovanni Galea Feriolo	created by Vilhena on the 14 June 1726 (see above)	Reference A.O.M. 627, unpag	He was invested on the 24 November 1791
Conte di Ghain Toffieha	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc, by rescript,	in favour of Ferdinando Teuma Castelletti	on the 7 January 1792	Reference A.O.M. 612, f. 198r.	He was invested on the 19 December 1792.
title of Marchese di San Giorgio	extended again by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	-	created by Rohan on the 6 September 1778 (see above)	Extended on the 5 June 1792	-
Barone Calleja di San Cosmo	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Ugolino Calleja	on the 27 November 1792	Reference A.O.M. 613, f, 187v.	He was invested on the 19 December 1792.
Marchese Apap di Gnien Is-Sultan	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Filippo Apap	on the 1 December 1792	Reference A.O.M. 613, ff. 188r	He was invested on the 19 December 1792.
title of Marchese del Fiddien	extended in part by a rescript of Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	-	created by Rohan on the 15 October 1785 (see above)	Extended on the 15 June 1793	-
Conte Barbaro di Santi	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Romualdo Barbaro	on the 14 January 1794	Reference A.O.M. 615, ff, 127v-127v	He was invested on the 12 February 1794.
Conte Marchesi di Meimun	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Saverio Marchesi	on the 8 March 1794	Reference A.O.M. 615, ff, 134v-135r	He was invested on the 2 April 1794.
right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile	conferred by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	on Dr. Ugolino Bonnici	on the 5 September 1794	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
Barone Carbott Testaferrata della Grua	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Saverio Carbott Testaferrata	on the 30 December 1794	Reference A.O.M. 617, ff. 135r	He was invested on the 4 February 1795.
Conte Fontani della Senia	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Vincenzo Fontani	on the 6 June 1795	Reference A.O.M. 619, ff. 87v-88r	No record of investiture.
Marchese Delicata di Ghain Kajet	created by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Geronimo Delicata	on the 4 June 1796	Reference A.O.M. 621, f. 75-75v	He was invested on the 13 June 1796.
right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile	conferred by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	on Dr. Saverio Crispo	sometime between 5 September 1794 and 11 June 1798 (implied: see Copies or Extracts of Correspondence with reference to the Maltese Nobility (In Continuation of C-3812) presented to the House of Lords by Command of Her Majesty, May 1886, sub-Enclosure in Enclosure No. 3 in the letter from Governor Simmons to The Earl of Derby dated 28 October 1884)	Refer to Decree of 30 April 1725	(Investiture not contemplated)
To this list one adds the fief of Ghariescem et Tabia	(see Second Category, below).	(see Second Category, below)	(see Second Category, below).	(see Second Category, below).	(see Second Category, below).

Titles of Nobility in Malta – Second Category

File:Martin de Redin SOM.jpg

A portrait of Grand Master Martin de Redin. In 1658, he invested the Magnificus Pietro Cassia in the fief of Ghariescem et Tabia. Nothing in the text supports the view that this fief was regarded as a barony at that date

A portrait of Grand Master Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim. He was the last Grand Master to rule Malta. In 1797, he invested Felicita Chiara Sant in the baronial fief of Ghariescem et Tabia. This was the fourth time that the fief was formally acknowledged as baronial by the Grand Masters.

Following the Royal Commissioners’ Report, it does not appear that any titles of Nobility claimed in 1878, actually existed in Malta as titles created by grant or patent before the advent of the Knights: Undoubtedly there were [possessors] of land in Malta who held by military tenure, under the Kings of Sicily. But mere military tenure even by tenants ‘in capite’ whether in England or Sicily, did not and does not constitute a privilege of honour (“peerage”). The Grand Masters upheld this view by practically creating a new title as a recognition of established custom, in a case where a holder of land by military service had vulgarly come to be known as a Baron, and the Sovereign had been induced to acquiesce. Large landowners in Sicily were often called “Barons” without any justification, and obsequious lawyers and officials habitually called their clients as they desired to be addressed; Malta was no exception.

Thus, although according to strict law, no titles are traceable in Malta created by an existing title of Nobility previous to the rule of the Grand Masters, the effect of the Royal Commission was that certain titles having their legal foundation in a recognition by the Grand Masters were ante-dated, for purposes of precedence only, to coincide with the date of grants of land under a military tenure which is inferior to a baronial tenure.

In their Report the Royal Commissioners made a distinction between a noble fief and a simple fief. The latter is granted without entitlement of any honour whatsoever, whilst the holder of the former is by Custom held to be a Baron. In addition to this, a money grant was made in lieu of a fief. In return for the fief or money grant the recipient was to render services to the crown, usually by way of military service or supplies of horses and weapons.

The honours implied in noble fiefs are succeeded by qualified descent, not necessarily by Primogeniture: to succeed the honour, one must be in possession of the same fief originally granted to the ancestor who first received it. Fiefs could not be owned but held: they could at times be forfeited, confiscated or extinguished. If the property is lost then the honours are extinguished. Table 7 shows how many fiefs in Malta were held by different families at short time intervals.

The Commissioners identified only one extant fief which devolved directly from the Aragonese sovereigns of Malta, namely the fief of Djar el-Bniet et Bucana. A 19th century claim maintained that the fief of Ghariescem et Tabia was also granted by the Aragonese kings. However, it was proven that the original fief had been extinguished and that the claimant could only make a claim on the basis of a later grant in fief made by the Grand Masters. The Commissioners did not consider any of the other fiefs which had been made by the Kings of Sicily and the Grand Masters. Moreover the Commission did not consider any money grants granted in lieu of a property tenure.

In the report we find reference to the fief of Budack as one being of a very old erection granted out to the Proto Medico Nicolo Cilia, by whose death it had reverted to the Crown, and was on the 22 December 1646 reconferred by Grand Master Juan de Lascaris-Castellar upon Silvestro Fiteni (on behalf of his wife Generosa daughter of Cesare Passalacqua, see also A.O.M. 471, ff. 273r-273v). Fiteni was invested on the 22 December 1646. Similar reference is made to the fief of Gomerino described as granted out by Frederick King of Sicily to Guglielmo Surdo, and after having been purchased by Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette, it was conferred not as a fief but as allodial property by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt to Gio Maria Cassia, from whom they were conveyed to Beatrice Cassia. Beatrice was later together with her husband Paolo Testaferrata to be granted a title (Baron) by the name of that property.

Modern historians note that the oldest known fief in Malta was that of Tabria held by the Barba family in 1316. However, data (see Table 7) is incomplete and there may be even older fiefs.

The investitures of the seventeenth century were not only made the Grand Masters but also by the Council of the Order, as show in Table 2 below:-

TABLE 2 (Second Category). List of grants and investitures of fiefs by the Council of the Order (source: Montalto ‘Nobles of Malta’):- (N.b. For explanations of variances of 1 year, see Table 1 above)

Fief	Created/invested by	In favour of	Date of creation/succession	A.O.M. Reference	Date of Investiture
land ta ghariescem ceded in fief	Grand Master Juan de Lascaris-Castellar	in favour of Giacinto Cassia	on the 14 April 1638	Reference A.O.M. 467, ff. 265r	He was invested on the 16 April 1638.
the fief Ghariescem et Tabia	Grand Master Juan de Lascaris-Castellar	in favour of Magnificus Gio. Antonio Cassia	originally granted in fief on the 14 April 1638 (see above)	Reference A.O.M. 475, ff. 283r	He was invested on the 11 January 1655.
the fief Ghariescem et Tabia	Grand Master Martin de Redin y Cruzat	in favour of Magnificus Pietro Cassia	originally granted in fief on the 14 April 1638 (see above)	Reference A.O.M. 476, ff. 208r).	He was invested on the 13 August 1658.
the fief Ghariescem et Tabia	Grand Master Gregorio Carafa	in favour of Domenica Cassia, wife of Stanislao Xara, filia vero quondam Magnifici Petri Cassia J.U.D. olim Baronis de Ghariescem et Tabia	originally granted in fief on the 14 April 1638 (see above)	-	She was invested on the 21 August 1689.
the fief Ghariescem et Tabia	Grand Master Marcantonio Zondadari	in favour of quod quidem Pheudum ad eum uti dicta quondam Nobilis Baronissae Domonicae Cassia et Xara filium primogenitum pervenit, ad quod supradictum Nobilem Petrum Paulum Xara	originally granted in fief on the 14 April 1638 (see above)	Reference A.O.M. 525, ff. 119v	He was invested on the 28 August 1721.
the fief Ghariescem et Tabia	Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc	in favour of Nobilis Stanislaus Xara quondam Nobilis Petri Pauli Xara Pheudi de Ghariescem et Tabia Baronis filius primogenitus	originally granted in fief on the 14 April 1638 (see above)	Reference A.O.M. 553, ff. 132r	He was invested on the 8 April 1749.
the fief Ghariescem et Tabia	Grand Master Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim	in favour of Felicita Chiara Sant filia vero primogenita quondam Magnificae Antoniae Bonnici sororis secundogenita quondam Magnifici Stanislai Xara olim Baronis De Ghariescem et Tabia	originally granted in fief on the 14 April 1638 (see above)	Reference A.O.M. 627	She was invested on the 20 August 1797.

Titles of Nobility in Malta – Third Category

In terms of the 1739 legislation, as confirmed in 1795, for any foreign title to enjoy precedence it had to be registered in Malta against payment of a fee.

The byzantine emperor John VIII Palaiologos (1392-1448). In 1744, Grand Master Manuel Pinto de Fonseca allowed the registration of documents proving the descent of the Maltese Wzzini Paleologo family from the most august Paleologo family of Comneno Angelo Lascaris and Duca, of the Emperors of the East.

TABLE 3 (Third Category). List of foreign titles registered at the Cancelleria of the Grand Masters (source: Montalto ‘Nobles of Malta’):- (N.b. For explanations of variances of 1 year, see Table 1 above)

Title	Created/invested by	In favour of	Date of creation/succession	A.O.M. Reference	Date of Registration
Conte Preziosi	created by Victor-Amadeus, King of Sicily, Duke of Savoy &c, and Perpetual Vicar of the Empire	in favour of Giuseppe Preziosi	on the 19th October 1718	Reference A.O.M. 524, f. 139r	registered in Malta on the 20 June 1720
Conte Piscopo di Mont' Alto in the Duchy of Parma , together with the fief of Monte Alto	created by Francis I (Farnese), Duke of Parma at Piacenza	at the request of Bernardo Piscopo	on the 8 July 1720	Reference A.O.M. 525, f. 111r-112r	registered in Malta on the 2 September 1721
Marchese De Piro	created by [[Philip V, King of Spain]	in favour of the Barone Gio Pio De Piro	on the 6 November 1742	Reference A.O.M. 627, unpaginated	registered in Malta on the 8 October 1743.
Documents (including proof of descent from the “most august Paleologo family of Comneno Angelo Lascaris and Duca, of the Emperors of the East”) concerning to the reception of the Patrician of Rome Don Salvatore Wzzini Paleologo, a professed knight of the Military Order of Saint James in Portugal, and the Count Ignazio Francesco Wzzini Paleologo into the Military Order of Saint James and the Order of the House of Avis in the Kingdom of Portugal	-	in favour of the Wzzini Paleologo and Ciantar Paleologo families	-	Reference A.O.M. 548	registered in Malta on the 4th July 1744, exempted of payment of the fee.
title of Conte Piscopo di Mont' Alto	amendment is assented by the Duke of Parma	-	on the 19 September 1724	Reference A.O.M. 548, f. 161v	registered in Malta on the 14 July 1744
Conte Fenech Bonnici	granted by Pope Benedict XIV	in favour of Baldassare Fenech Bonnici	on the 12th June 1748	Reference A.O.M. 554, ff. 173r-173v	registered in Malta on the 27 April 1750
Conte Fournier in the Kingdom and Provinces of Germany	conferred by Empress Maria Theresa by a patent given at Vienna	to Giorgio Fournier de Pausier	on the 29 January 1770	Reference A.O.M. 579, f. 349v	registered in Malta on the 2 December 1775
Conte Sant in the Italian Provinces annexed to the German Empire	conferred by Empress Maria Theresa by a patent given at Vienna	to Salvatore Baldassare Sant	on the 22 December 1770	Reference A.O.M. 579, f. 351v	registered in Malta on the 12 December 1775
Barone Ciantar di San Giovanni	created by Ferdinand I. King of the Two Sicilies, by a patent given at Palermo	to Serafino Ciantar	on the 16 July 1777	Reference A.O.M. 581, ff. 278v-279r.	registered in Malta on the 17 January 1778.

Colonial Malta – The Royal Commission appointed to enquire into the claims of the Maltese Nobility

A portrait of The Blessed Maria Adeodata Pisani (1806-1855) daughter of the Baron Pisani of Frigenuini

Detail of the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta Malta. The only title granted by Grand Master Francisco Ximenes de Texada was the regrant of Barone di Frigenuini. This title was not considered by the Royal Commission.

After Malta became a Colony of Britain, the unregulated and improper use of titles of nobility and other honours was tolerated by the local authorities who were themselves found to be at fault for encouraging such improper use. Throughout this period, a group known as the Assembly of Maltese Nobles is known to have functioned at this time but it did not enjoy any official role.

In 1876, an incident arose in connection with a visit by the Prince of Wales. Having felt slighted by the welcoming party, some members of the Assembly of Maltese Nobles led by the secretary the Marchese Cassar Desain retaliated by boycotting the reception.

After this incident a formal enquiry (the Royal Commission) was appointed to identify those Maltese who claimed a title of nobility which was granted, registered or otherwise recognised by the Grand Masters during their government of the Order. The Report was to be addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

The Commission was composed of two Maltese judges (Pullicino and Naudi) who received most of the claims through the Secretary of the Assembly of Nobles but ostensibly as the “Secretary of the Committee of Nobles originally formed on the occasion of the late visit of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales”. Claims to 3 other titles were received separately. The report and supplemental Report of the Royal Commission were completed by May 1878 and these were together with correspondences, formally presented to the British House of Commons.

The Commission’s Report specifically considers various titles of nobility. The titles claimed included some which were not formally registered in the Registry during the government of the Order. Some titles created by the Grand Masters were not claimed.

All the titles claimed were subjected to an investigation whether such titles were created by the Grand Masters (first category) ere noble fiefs (second) or foreign titles which were duly registered, or at least directly recognized (third) by the Grand Masters. Not all were found to satisfy this criterion.

TABLE 4. Noble titles listed by “a Committee of Nobles, originally formed on the occasion of the late visit of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales”: (source: Report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the claims of the Maltese Nobility):- (N.b. For explanations of variances of 1 year, see Table 1 above)

Description of title claimed	Name of Claimant	Basis of claim
the aforesaid title of Barone di Gomerino	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Pietro Paolo Testaferrata Abela Moroni	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 24th December 1710.
The same title of Barone di Gomerino	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Augusto Testaferrata Abela	invoking a grant by Frederick II of Sicily and Aragon dated 13th November 1317 as well as the aforesaid grant dated 24th December 1710, as well as the will of his father Pietro Paolo Testaferrata Abela and that of his brother Francesco.
the aforesaid title of Barone di Budac	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Monsignor Salvatore Grech Delicata Testaferrata Cassia, Domestic Prelate to H.H. the Pope and Hon. Canon of the Gozo Cathedral	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 23rd April 1716.
the aforesaid title of Barone della Marsa (First creation)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Alessandro Sceberras Testaferrata Damico Inguanez	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 12 June 1725.
the aforesaid title of Barone di San Marciano	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Pietro Paolo Galea, whose father was appointed C.M.G on the 9th February 1833	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 14th June 1726.
the aforesaid title of Barone della Tabria	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 11th December 1728.
the aforesaid title of Barone della Culeja	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Vincenza Bonici, wife of Baron Galea	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 2nd June 1737.
the aforesaid title of Conte della Bahria	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Antonio Stagno Navarra Muscati Falsoni	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 16th May 1473 (recte: 1743).
the aforesaid title of Conte della Catena	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Felicissimo Apap Pace Bologna, whose grandfather was a C.M.G	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 20th January 1745 but the Committee noted that claim was “Sub judice”.
the aforesaid title of Barone di Buleben	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Calcedonio Azopardi Zamitt, whose father was appointed C.M.G. on the 28th March 1842,	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 23rd July 1777 and the aforesaid act dated 25th April 1778.
the aforesaid title of Marchese di San Giorgio	claimed by the Committee of Nobles by its English translation Marquis of St. George on behalf of George Crispo Barbaro	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 2nd September 1778 and the aforesaid rescripts dated 2nd January 1779 and 5th June 1791.
the aforesaid title of Conte di Beberrua	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Nicolo’ Gatto, LL.D.	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 23rd October 1783. Another date 14th December 1783 was also invoked.
the aforesaid title of Marchese del Fiddien	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Salvatore Mallia Tabone	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 15th October 1785.
the aforesaid title of Marchese della Taflia (second creation, 1790 grant)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Bernardo Alessi	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 13th November 1790.
the aforesaid title of Conte di Ghain Toffieha	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Pietro Paolo Theuma Castelletti	invoking the aforesaid rescript dated 7th January 1792.
the aforesaid title of Marchese di Gnien Is-Sultan	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Felicissimo Apap Pace Bologna, whose grandfather was a C.M.G.	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 20th January 1792.
the aforesaid title of Barone della Grua	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Nicola Maria Delicata Carbott Asciack.	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 30th December 1794.
the aforesaid title of Conte della Senia	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Luigi Fontani.	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 6th June 1795.
the aforesaid title of Marchese di Ghain Kajet	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Gaetano Delicata	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 4th June 1796.
the aforesaid Fief of Ghariescem and Tabia	claimed by the Committee of Nobles as a barony on behalf of Gio Francesco Sant Cassia	invoking a grant by Frederick of Aragon and Sicily dated 12 November 1372 and the aforesaid grant of 14 April 1638
the aforesaid Fief of Djar il-bniet and Bucana	claimed by the Committee of Nobles as a barony on behalf of Alessandro Sceberras Testaferrata Damico Inguanez	invoking a grant dated 13th November 1372 by King Frederick of Aragon and Sicily
the unregistered foreign title of Barone di Cicciano in the Kingdom of Naples, (exact date of creation unknown but held by Fabrizio Testaferrata by Royal Assent on the 11 July 1695)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Alessandro Sceberras Testaferrata Damico Inguanez	invoking a grant dated 11th June 1695;
the unregistered foreign title of Marchese di San Vincenzo Ferreri in the Kingdom of Naples, (conferred upon Mario Testaferrata on the 10 November 1716 by Philip V, King of Spain and Naples)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Emmanuele Testaferrata Bonici Asciack	invoking the said grant dated 10th November 1716
the same unregistered foreign title of Marchese di San Vincenzo Ferreri	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Lorenzo Antonio Testaferrata	invoking the same grant dated 10th November 1716
the unregistered foreign title of Marchese Testaferrata, (conferred upon Mario Testaferrata on the 13 July 1717 by Victor Amadeus, King of Sicily and Duke of Savoy)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Emmanuele Testaferrata Bonici Asciack	invoking the said grant dated 13 July 1717
the same unregistered foreign title of Marchese Testaferrata	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Lorenzo Antonio Testaferrata	invoking the same grant dated 13 July 1717
the same unregistered foreign title of Marchese Testaferrata	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani	invoking the same grant dated 13 July 1717
the same unregistered foreign title of Marchese Testaferrata	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Gio Paolo Testaferrata Olivier	invoking the same grant dated 13 July 1717
the same unregistered foreign title of Marchese Testaferrata	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Lorenzo Antonio Cassar Desain (ne’ Testaferrata)	invoking the same grant dated 13 July 1717
the same unregistered foreign title of Marchese Testaferrata	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Ignazio Testaferrata Bonici	invoking the same grant dated 13 July 1717
the aforesaid registered foreign title of Conte Preziosi	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Amedeo Preziosi	invoking the said registered grant dated 19th October 1718
the same registered foreign title of Conte Preziosi	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Antonio Preziosi M.D	invoking the same grant dated 19th October 1718
the same registered foreign title of Conte Preziosi	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Camillo Preziosi LL.D.	invoking the same grant dated 19th October 1718
the aforesaid registered title of Conte di Mont’ Alto	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Monsignor Salvatore Manduca Piscopo Macedonia, Domestic Prelate to H.H. the Pope Apostolic Pronotary and Canon of the Cathedral whose predecessor is described as K.C.M.G	invoking the said registered grants dated 10th July 1720 and 19th September 1724.
the foreign title of Conte enjoyed by the Wzzini family, (exact date of creation unknown to the Commission but held by Ignazio Wzzini in the year 1722)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Giorgio Serafino Duca Comninoe Lascaris	invoking the aforesaid registered entry dated 4th July 1744
the aforesaid registered foreign title of Marquis De Piro, together with the titles of Count De Piro and Viscount de Cartely	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Saverio De Piro, Captain in the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery	invoking the aforesaid registered grant of 6th November 1742
the unregistered foreign title of Barone Fournier de Pausier (granted on the 31 March 1768 by Empress Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria, upon Giorgio Fournier de Pausier)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Lazzaro Sant Fournier de Pausier	invoking the aforesaid grant of 31 March 1768;
the aforesaid registered foreign title of Conte Fournier	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Lazzaro Sant Fournier de Pausier	invoking the aforesaid registered grant of 29th January 1770
the aforesaid registered title of Conte Sant	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Gio Francesco Sant Cassia	invoking the aforesaid registered grant of 22 December 1770
the unregistered foreign title of Conte presumed (by the Commission) to have been granted to Salvatore Manduca on the 28 December 1776 by one of the Dukes of Parma (probably Don Ferdinand)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Monsignor Salvatore Manduca Piscopo Macedonia, Domestic Prelate to H.H. the Pope Apostolic Pronotary and Canon of the Cathedral whose predecessor is described as K.C.M.G.	invoking a grant dated 28 December 1776.
the aforesaid registered foreign title of Barone di San Giovanni	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Giorgio Serafino Duca Comninoe Lascaris	invoking a grant dated 20th August 1657 and the aforesaid registered grant dated 6th July 1777
the unregistered foreign title of Conte di Casandola (presumed, by the Commission, to have been granted by Charles II, King of Spain and Sicily, on the 6th January 1685)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Antonio Stagno Navarra Muscati Falsoni	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 6th January 1685.
the unregistered foreign distinction of Knight of the Order of Noble Tornearii and Armigers of the Holy Roman Empire (granted motu proprio at Vienna to Giacomo Testaferrata de Robertis on the 6 November 1637 by Ferdinand 3rd Emperor Elect of the Romans and of Germany)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Emmanuele Testaferrata Bonici Asciack	invoking the said grant dated 6th November 1637
the same unregistered foreign distinction of Knight of the Order of Noble Tornearii and Armigers of the Holy Roman Empire	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Lorenzo Antonio Testaferrata	invoking the same grant dated 6th November 1637
the same unregistered foreign distinction of Knight of the Order of Noble Tornearii and Armigers of the Holy Roman Empire	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani	invoking the same grant dated 6th November 1637
the same unregistered foreign distinction of Knight of the Order of Noble Tornearii and Armigers of the Holy Roman Empire	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Gio Paolo Testaferrata Olivier	invoking the same grant dated 6th November 1637
the same unregistered foreign distinction of Knight of the Order of Noble Tornearii and Armigers of the Holy Roman Empire	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Antonio Cassar Desain (ne’ Testaferrata)	invoking the same grant dated 6th November 1637
the same unregistered foreign distinction of Knight of the Order of Noble Tornearii and Armigers of the Holy Roman Empire	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Ignazio Testaferrata Bonici	invoking the same grant dated 6th November 1637
the unregistered foreign dignity of Patrician of Messina (granted to Mariano Testaferrata on the 20th December 1553 by the Jurats of the city or municipality of Messina)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Pietro Paolo Testaferrata Abela Moroni	invoking the said grant dated 20th December 1553
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Patrician of Messina	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Augusto Testaferrata Abela	invoking the same grant dated 20th December 1553
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Patrician of Messina	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Monsignor Salvatore Grech Delicata Testaferrata Cassia, Domestic Prelate to H.H. the Pope and Hon. Canon of the Gozo Cathedral	invoking the same grant dated 20th December 1553
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Patrician of Messina	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Emmanuele Testaferrata Bonici Asciack	invoking the same grant dated 20th December 1553
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Patrician of Messina	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Lorenzo Antonio Testaferrata	invoking the same grant dated 20th December 1553
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Patrician of Messina	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Gio Paolo Testaferrata Olivier	invoking the same grant dated 20th December 1553
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Patrician of Messina	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Lorenzo Antonio Cassar Desain (ne’ Testaferrata)	invoking the same grant dated 20th December 1553
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Patrician of Messina	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Ignazio Testaferrata Bonici	invoking the same grant dated 20th December 1553
another unregistered foreign dignity of Patrician of Messina (granted to Marchese Don Mario Testaferrata Castelletti, Don Daniele and Don Pandolfo Testaferrata De Noto, and the Barone P.P. Testaferrata Abela on the 28 August 1792 by the Senate of Messina)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Pietro Paolo Testaferrata Abela Moroni	invoking the said grant dated 28th August 1792
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Patrician of Messina	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Augusto Testaferrata Abela	invoking the same grant dated 28th August 1792
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Patrician of Messina	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Lorenzo Antonio Testaferrata	invoking the same grant dated 28th August 1792
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Patrician of Messina	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Gio Paolo Testaferrata Olivier	invoking the same grant dated 28th August 1792
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Patrician of Messina	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Lorenzo Antonio Cassar Desain (ne’ Testaferrata)	invoking the same grant dated 28th August 1792
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Patrician of Messina	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Ignazio Testaferrata Bonici	invoking the same grant dated 28th August 1792
another unregistered foreign title of Patrician of Messina, (confirmed together with the title of Marquis by the Senate of Messina to Gio Paolo Testaferrata Olivier’s father Giuseppe Enrico on the 12th July 1791)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Gio Paolo Testaferrata Olivier	invoking the same act dated 12th July 1791 as well as the aforesaid grant dated 28th August 1792
the unregistered foreign dignity of Roman Patrician (conferred upon Monsignor Don Leonardo Abela, Bishop of Sidonia, Placido and Alessandro Abela his brothers, and upon his three nephews ex sorore Pietro di Ferro, Ascanio Surdo and Paolo Testaferrata on the 11th day of the calends of June of the year 1590 by the Roman Senate)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Pietro Paolo Testaferrata Abela Moroni	invoking the aforesaid grant dated 11th June 1590
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Roman Patrician	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Augusto Testaferrata Abela	invoking the same grant dated 11th June 1590
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Roman Patrician	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Monsignor Salvatore Grech Delicata Testaferrata Cassia , Domestic Prelate to H.H. the Pope and Hon. Canon of the Gozo Cathedral	invoking the same grant dated 11th June 1590
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Roman Patrician	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Lorenzo Antonio Cassar Desain (ne’ Testaferrata)	invoking the same grant dated 11th June 1590
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Roman Patrician	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Saverio De Piro	invoking the same grant dated 11th June 1590
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Roman Patrician	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Felicissimo Apap Pace Bologna, whose grandfather was a C.M.G	invoking the same grant dated 11th June 1590
another unregistered foreign dignity of Roman Patrician (reputed to date 6 July 1674, origins unknown to the Commission)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Emmanuele Testaferrata Bonici Asciack	invoking the aforesaid date 6 July 1674
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Roman Patrician	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Lorenzo Antonio Testaferrata	invoking the same date 6 July 1674
the same unregistered foreign dignity of Roman Patrician	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Lorenzo Antonio Cassar Desain (ne’ Testaferrata)	invoking the same date 6 July 1674
the foreign dignities of Noble, Roman Patrician and Roman Senator (reputed to date 4 July 1744, origins unknown to the Commission)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Giorgio Serafino Duca Comninoe Lascaris	invoking the aforesaid registered entry dated 4th July 1744
the unregistered foreign dignity of Venetian Patrician, (origins unknown to the Commission)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of George Crispo Barbaro	-
the unregistered foreign distinction of Knight of the 1st class of Charles III, King of Spain (origins unknown to the Commission)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Luigi Fontani	-
the unregistered foreign dignity of Messinese Patrician (origins unknown to the Commission)	claimed by the Committee of Nobles on behalf of Antonio Stagna Navarra Muscati Falsoni	-
To this list one adds the following titles which were claimed by individuals without the assistance of the Committee of Nobles	(see Table 5, below).	(see Table 5, below).

TABLE 5. Analysis of private representations to the Royal Commissioners: (source: Report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the claims of the Maltese Nobility):- (N.b. For explanations of variances of 1 year, see Table 1 above)

Description of title claimed	Name of Claimant	Basis of claim
the aforesaid title of Barone della Marsa (Third creation)	claimed by Maria Apap for herself	invoking the aforesaid grant of the 10th March 1775.
the aforesaid title of Barone di Benuarrat	claimed by Angiolino Attard for himself	invoking the aforesaid grant of the 18th August 1737.
the unregistered foreign title of Barone di San Paolino granted to Matteo de Ribera on the 16 July 1638, by the President and Captain-General of Sicily by authority of Philip IV, King of Spain and Sicily	claimed by Angiolino Attard for himself	invoking the aforesaid grant of the 16th July 1638
the unregistered foreign distinction of Knight of the Order of Noble Tornearii and Armigers of the Holy Roman Empire (granted motu proprio at Vienna to Massimiliano Balzano on the 19 November 1698 by Leopold I Emperor Elect of the Romans and of Germany)	claimed by Luisa Strickland for herself and her sons	invoking the aforesaid grant of the 19 November 1698

Results of the Royal Commission

The right to be styled Illustrissimo e Nobile conferred at various times between 1725 and 1798 by the Grand Masters on some families was not claimed as a title before the Commission. However, it served as the basis for ascertaining direct recognitions of the fief (Barone) of Djar il-Bniet and Buqana and the unregistered foreign titles of Barone di Castel Cicciano, and Marchese di San Vincenzo Ferreri. A direct recognition of the title of Conte enjoyed by the family Wzzini Paleologo was based on a private correspondence dated 1722.

Of the claims to the titles created by the Grand Masters, three titles were found to be extinct, namely both 1725 and 1776 creations of the title of Barone della Marsa, the personal title of Conte di Beberrua and the originally personal title Barone di Buleben.

Another three titles with singular remainder were found to be claimed by more than one person for different reasons namely the titles of Barone di Gomerino, Barone di Budac and Conte della Catena. The title of Barone di Gomerino was claimed by Pietro Paolo Testaferrata Abela Moroni on the basis that he contended that that title was made subject to a private entail dated 7 March 1714 in favour of Ercole Martino and now possessed by him, whilst Augusto Testaferrata Abela contended that it was he who held the allodial property previously held by Fabrizio; the title of Barone di Budac was claimed by Monsignor Salvatore Grech Delicata Testaferrata Cassia who explained that he had been nominated to succeed by the last holder of it; however, Giuseppe De Piro called the Monsignor’s claim into question by contending that the title had been extinct for a long time and the estate annexed to that title had devolved upon him (De Piro) by title of a Primogenitura. The primogenitura to which the title of Conte della Catena was annexed was already indicated by the Committee of Nobles as “sub judice”. The primogenitura was being claimed by Felicissimo Apap Pace Bologna and Luisa/Gerald Strickland. Because of these contestations, the Commissioners decided not to hear the competing claimants and no decision was reached by the Royal Commissioners.

Of the claims to the only two Maltese fiefs considered by the Commissioners, it resulted that neither was originally granted as a noble fief. However the Commission concluded that over time both the tenure of the fief of Djar il-Bniet and Bucana and the tenure of the fief of Ghariescem and Tabia had come to be regarded by the Grand Masters as noble fiefs. The Commission accorded both fiefs a date of precedence which predates the date it was first acknowledged as a noble fief.

Strictly speaking the claims to the titles of Barone di Djar il-Bniet and Bucana and Marchese di San Giorgio (and that of Venetian Patrician) were dismissed. However the Commissioners note that the first was a fief which was in fact held a the time by that claimant's aunt Maria D'Amico, whilst in the case of the second the Commissioners noted that the claimant's father Gustavo Barbaro was still alive. Neither Maria D’Amico nor the older Barbaro claimed those titles but the Commissioners instead of dismissing the claims before them decided to award those two titles to D’Amico and Barbaro senior respectively. The title of Venetian patrician was dismissed as explained below.

Of the claims to the registered foreign titles, the claim to the title of Conte di Mont’ Alto was disallowed by the Commission because it resulted that it had become extinct. All the other registered foreign titles were allowed by the Royal Commission with the exception of Conte Fournier and decision was referred to the British Secretary of State for the Colonies.

The following foreign titles were disallowed by the Commission because no proof was provided of their registration or direct recognition by the Grand Masters:

a. Marchese Testaferrata,

b. Barone Fournier de Pausier,

c. Barone di San Paolino,

d. Conte di Casandola,

e. Knight of the Order of Noble Tornearii and Armigers of the Holy Roman Empire (Testaferrata); (see Commisioners' observation that this was directly recognised, but Commisioner of State for the Colonies decided otherwise)

f. Knight of the Order of Noble Tornearii and Armigers of the Holy Roman Empire (Balzano), (see Commisioners' observation that this was directly recognised, but Commisioner of State for the Colonies decided otherwise)

g. Patrician of Messina (Testaferrata, 1553),

h. Patrician of Messina (Testaferrata 1792),

i. Patrician of Messina, (Testaferrata 1791),

j. Roman Patrician (Abela, di Ferro, Surdo and Testaferrata, 1590),

k. Roman Patrician (1674(?)),

l. Noble, Roman Patrician and Roman Senator (see registered entry dated 4th July 1744);

m. Venetian Patrician (?),

n. Knight of the 1st class of Charles III, King of Spain (?), and

o. Messinese Patrician (?).

No decision was reached by the Commission on the unregistered foreign titles of Marchese di San Vincenzo Ferreri and that of Conte presumed to have been granted to Salvatore Manduca. This was so because the first was found to have been claimed by more than one claimant whilst the documentation for the second had not arrived in time.

The Colonial Office could not reconsider the rejected claims as the Commissioners, who were judges, having already expressed their views, could not be asked to reconsider the same claims which they had already dismissed.

Separate recommendations of a Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility

A portrait of Grand Master Manuel Pinto da Fonseca. He created the first Maltese comital titles of Bahria and Catena. He granted anew the title of Barone della Marsa and also oversaw the succession of the title of Barone di San Marciano. In 1883, a separate committee credited Pinto with having created the marchional titles of Testaferrata Olivier and Cassar Desain.

By a Despatch dated 16 August 1882, issued by the British Secretary of State for the Colonies, through the intervention of Sir George Bowyer, a Special Committee was set up namely a Committee “with functions analogous to those of the Committee of Privileges in the House of Lords (of the United Kingdom)”. The first Committee was composed of the Conte Ciantar Paleologo, the Marchese Apap Bologna di Gnien is-Sultan, the Marchese de Piro, the Marchese Delicata di Ghajn Qajjet and the Monsignor Count Manduca di Mont’ Alto. The stated purpose of the committee was to take into consideration the cases of those title-holders ('Titolati') who were not included by the Commissioners Judges Naudi and Pullicino, in the list of Titolati prepared by them for the local government. In addition the Committee was allowed to report from time to time to the Secretary of State for the Colonies on any matter affecting the Maltese Nobility or their rights, claims or privileges, or to bring such matter to the foot of throne by petition to the British Sovereign.

The Special Committee revisited the respective claims of Calcedonio Azopardi to the title of Barone di Buleben (erstwhile erroneously declared extinct by the Commissioners), that of Nicolo’ Gatto to the title of Conte di Beberrua, that of Giovanni Paolo Testaferrata Olivier to the title of Marchese dating it to 1745, and that of Lorenzo Cassar Desain to a similar title of Marchese dated to 1749 and recommended that these four claims be approved. Special grace and favour from the Queen was received in 1883.

As a result of a debate held in the House of Lords on the 20th April 1885 the Colonial Secretary was urged to ‘do all he could to recognize the nobility still further, as it would smooth the intercourse …between English and Maltese societies and to strengthen British rule in the Island’. Following this intervention, there was a complete reversal of attitude towards the Nobles of Malta, some of whom were even received in the private Drawing-room of Queen Victoria.

The British Colonial Administration issued a recognition to the following titles according to the perceived date taken for precedence:

TABLE 6. Analysis of titles approved by British Colonial office:-

Name of title	Date for Precedence
Baron of Djar il-Bniet and Buqana	4th January, 1350
Baron of Gheriexem and Tabia	16th April, 1638
Baron of Gomerino	24th December, 1710
Baron of Budach	23rd April, 1716
Count Preziosi	20 June 1720
Count W.Paleologo	1722
Baron of Cicciano	11 May 1725
Marquis of San Vincenzo Ferreri	9 July 1725
Baron of San Marciano	14th June, 1726
Baron of Tabria	11th December, 1728
Baron of Culeja	2nd June, 1737
Baron of Benwarrad	18th August, 1737
Marquis Depiro	6th November, 1742
Count of Bahria	16th May, 1743
Count of Catena	20th January, 1745
Marquis Testaferrata Olivier	1745
Marquis Cassar Desain	1749
Count Fournier	2 December 1775
Count Sant	12 December 1775
Count of Mont’Alto Manduca)	28th December, 1776
Baron of Buleben	23rd July, 1777
Baron of San Giovanni	17 January 1778
Marquis of San Giorgio (St. George)	6th September, 1778
Count of Beberrua	23rd October, 1783
Marquis of Fiddien	15th October, 1785
Marquis of Taflia	13th November, 1790
Count of Ghajn Tuffieha	7th January,1792
Marquis of Gnien is-Sultan	1st December, 1792
Baron of Grua	30th December,1794
Count of Senia	6th June, 1795
Marquis of Ghajn Qajjed	4th June, 1796

Later changes to the Maltese Nobility

File:BnietBuq.JPG

A photograph , circa 1890, of The Baroness of Djar el Bniet et Bucana, Maria Francesca Sceberras D'Amico Inguanez (1865-1947) wife of Colonel Alexander Chalmers McKeon. The Royal Commissioners ante-dated the title of Djar il-Bniet et Bucana to 1350 and awarded it to her great-aunt Maria D’Amico.

Historians criticize the final list approved by the British Colonial Administration for being various reasons including anachronisms, perpetuation of some extinct titles, and historically inaccurate and/or incomplete data, e.g. although it results (see table 7 below) that the fief of Djar il-Bniet was held by the Gacto family in 1350/51, that same fief appears to have been held by the Osa family in 1376.

The Committee as a recognized official body continued to elect its members once a year. The Colonial Government’s position was not to issue any provisional recognition by the Government of any of the aforesaid titles unless the Committee of Privileges has reported.

All recognitions by the Government were issued provisionally as the decisions of the Committee were made subject to any subsequent decision of a Court of law. In his dispatch of the 30 April 1878 the Secretary of State laid down “It is only necessary to point out to you that no public officer, not even a Secretary of State, has the power of conferring titles of honour, for which the personal sanction of Her Majesty is each case is necessary; and even assuming such acts to have been done by British officials with full knowledge that the titles were non-existent, their want of power would prevent these acts of supposed recognition from having the slightest effect.”

The effect of the 1739 and 1795 legislation meant that the Maltese nobility would rank amongst itself according to the date of creation of title and not according to the degree/rank of the title. No changes to this system was made by either the Commission or the Special Committee. However, an attempt to change the rule of precedence first established by Grand Master Despuig in 1739, was made by the Maltese Committee of Privileges in 1886. However this was strongly resisted by the Assembly of Nobles as soon as the Governor (John Simmons) made these intentions known justifying his disclosure on his view that the cadets had an interest equal to that of the Titolati. A secondary issue arose on who of the two enjoyed the representation of the Maltese Nobility. Lord Granville ended the dispute on 19 May 1886 when he communicated his decision that in view of the considerable opposition and the small support which the proposal received, that he was “not prepared to reconsider the decision of Grand Master Rohan”. Granville did not commit on the secondary issue but it appears that after this incident the Assembly of Maltese Nobility lost its political significance with the result that the Committee of Privileges took up all representation of the Maltese “Titolati” whilst the cadetti were unrepresented.

The effect of the 1725 legislation meant that only some families, not necessarily titled-families, are entitled to the titles of “Most Illustrious” and “Noble”. However, in 1886 the Committee of Privileges was successful to obtain for each of the British-acknowledged titolati the right to the style “The Most Noble”.

As at 1910, the pedigrees and the right to bear two of the titles (Barone di Cicciano and Conte della Catena) approved by the Royal Commission had been investigated by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. It was then anticipated that similar investigations would follow, including questions of precedence inter se, and of dates of legal “creation”, on some Special Reference, or directly in England on a Petition of Right. This expectation was short-lived as the Privy Council did not make any other decision directly on a title of nobility. However, the Privy Council did make some decisions on succession of property entailments which were established during the Magistral period.

Although politically the nobles declined, nevertheless the two Constitutions of 1887 and 1921 provide for representatives from the nobility. In the earlier constitution, four members in the Council of members were to represent the clergy, the nobility and landed proprietors, university graduates and the merchants. By classifying the nobility with landed proprietors, the Constitution effectively restored a position of status to the cadet lines who albeit untitled lost their historic nobility under the 1878 Royal Commission.

The later constitution which provided for a bicameral legislature allowed for ten special members in the senate to represent the above-mentioned groups, and also the Trade Unions. Some nobles were elected to the Lower House or Legislative Assembly and one prominent nobleman, Count Sir Gerald Strickland was Prime Minister of Malta.

No provision was made for the nobility in the later Constitutions.

Present day

A photograph of Lord Gerald Strickland (1861-1940). In 1883, the Privy Council upheld his claim to the private entail governing the title of Conte della Catena by reason of his being the most senior male descendant in terms of the grant, thereby dismissing claims based only on proximity to the last holder.

The last vestiges of the nobility under the Grand Masters, were steadily done away with. In 1950, succession by entail was abolished in Malta under the Premiership of Paul Boffa by Act 12 of 1950 dated 5 May 1950. This was followed in 1969, under the Premiership of Giorgio Borg Olivier by an abolition of succession by fief by Act 30 of 1969 dated 21 November, 1969. Provision is made in the later law that nothing shall affect any title of nobility, and the laws in force concerning any such titles shall continue to have effect.

Finally, in 1975 the Maltese Government under the Premiership of Dom Mintoff brought in a Bill for the purpose of abolishing titles of nobility. On the 25 June 1975, the President of the Republic of Malta. Sir Anthony Mamo, gave his assent to Act No. XXIX. Although titles of nobility were not abolished ‘for historical reasons’, a general duty was imposed to no longer recognize them.

Montalto reports that although the nobles still exist, their numbers have certainly dwindled, and some titles have fallen into abeyance – for instance the Counts of Bahria and Senia and Marquises of Taflia and Ghajn Qajjet. He continues, saying that it is usual for Petitions to be presented to the Committee of Privileges by claimants, but it is unusual for decisions to be taken. He reports that the Committee still meets, but its function is now a little obscure.

A revival of interest in the subject was noted in the early 1980s with a feted publication by John Attard Montalto and a series of articles and books by Charles A. Gauci, and since then it appears that that Committee has revived a number of titles. Moreover, the Gauci publications reports how that Committee has revisited the criteria of recognition of other titles which did not form part of the list approved by the British Colonial Authorities.

Two related lawsuits decided in the early 21st century, one “Ramsay vs Bugeja” the other “Bugeja Viani vs Attorney General” regarding claims to the title of Barone della Tabria highlights the obligation not to recognize any title of nobility.

TABLE 7. LIST OF KNOWN FIEFS GRANTED PRE-1530 (source: Montalto ‘Nobles of Malta’):-

the Alagona family	fiefs of Bungemi (1408), Davaracia (1408) and Benuarrat (date of grant unknown);
the Amodeo family	the fief of Petra Lunga (1371);
the Arescula family	the fiefs of Hayntufegha (1399) and the money grants of 12 unc. (1402) and 15 unc (1407).
the Armenia family	the fiefs of Benuarrat (unknown) and Tal-Baccar;
The Astis family	the fief of Maccalibim (140?).
the Attardo family	the fiefs of Ginelfar (1361), Misulup (1361) and Saqqajja (1361);
The Augnica/Stugnica/Scimica family	the fiefs of Saqqaja (1506) and Friginuini (1513);
The Aulesa/Olesia family	the fief of Budac.
The Bagna family	the fief of Chabelville (1372);
The Bandino family	the money grants of 7 unc. (1398) and 2 unc (1400).
The Barba family	the fiefs of Tabria (1316), Fontana (1347), Vilaliamitu (1399), Budacco (unknown) and the money grants of 8 unc. (1399), 8unc. (1402) and 8 unc. (1413).
The Bava family	the fiefs of Bucana (unknown), Djar il-Bniet (unknown) and Hemsija (unknown);
The Bellera/Bontempo family	the money grant of 6 unc.
The Bernardo family	the fiefs of Barberi (1398) and Mejmun (1398);
The Blundo/Blundus family	the fief of Tabia/Gariexem (1416);
The Bochio family	the fief of Grua (1372);
The Bordino family	the fief of La Chalca di Ayn Cuffutu (1399) and the money grant of 12 unc. (1485);
The Buginac/Unginat family	the fief of Nigret/Mojdu (1372).
The Buscheri/Cuskeri family	the fiefs of Frigenuini (1375) and Barberi (unknown).
The Busco/Bosco family	the fiefs of Gnien il-Firen (1399), Qattara (1439), Hayntufegha (1440) and Marsa ((1441);
The Cadumi family	the fiefs of Canfudi (1398) and San Marciano (1398);
The Calafato family	the money grant of 6 unc. (1398);
The Cardona family	the fief of La Guardia (1437).
The Carraffa family	the fief of Marsa (1450);
The Carretto family	the fief of Rayava (1408), Salamuni (1408) and Tabria (1408);
The Castelli family	the fief of Buqana (unknown).
The Catalanu family	the fief of San Cosmo (unknown).
The Caxaro family	the money grant of 4 unc. (1409).
The Desguanes/Inguanez family	the the fiefs of Budacco (1408), Tabia/Gariexem (1416), Bucana (1432), Djar il-Bniet (1432), Hemsija (1432), Tabria (1441), Marsa (1441), Saqqajja (1442), Gnien il-Firen (14?), Hayntufegha (14?), Hayntufegha (14?), Qattara (14?), Irdum Sancto Georgio et Mizel Xiri (1447);
The Falsone family	the fief of Jurihando (1399) and the money grant of 12 unc. (1493);
The Fanato/Favato family	the fief of Musebi (1372);
The Forregioni family	the fiefs of Gnien il-Firen (1465), Hayntufegha (1465) and Qattara (1465).
The Franco/Auri family	the money grant of 4 unc. (1399).
The Gatto/Gactu family	the fiefs of Djar il-Bniet (1351), Buqana (1397), Budach (1398) Hemsija (1398) and Tabria (1407);
The Girbinus family	the money grant of 4 unc (1398);
The Gomez family	the fiefs of Il-Scardo (1374) and Scajscach (1374).
The Grayera family	the fief of Marsa (1452);
The Gruno/Grugno family	the fiefs of Jardum Grandi (1510) and Petra Longa (1513);
The Guantis family	the fief of Tabia/Gariexem (unknown);
The Gueraldi family	the fief of Tabria (1398);
The Guevara/Guara/Grayera family	the fiefs of Gnien il-Firen (1446), Hayntufegha (1446), Qattara (1446) and Marsa (1446);
The Habela/Abela family	the fief of Petra Lunga (unknown);
The Imbroglio family	the fiefs of Chabuch/Chalkia (1372) and Charmine/Chalmira (1372);
The Impax/Pax family	the fiefs of Bucelli (1372), Culeja (1472) and 6 unc. (1372);
The Landolina family	the fief of Tabria (1453);
The Lavagna family	the money grant of 2 unc (1373).
The Lemmo family	the money grant of 6 unc. (1416);
The Malta/Pullichino family	the fief of La Guardia (unknown);
The Mileto family	the fief of Ajnastasi (1372);
The Monbron family	the money grant of 12 unc (1514).
The Mundellus family	the money grants of 8 florins (1373) and 6 unc. (1374);
The Murina family	the fief of Bucana (1372);
The Nava family	the fief of Marsa (1465) and Benuarrat (1472/75);
The Navarro family	the money grant of 4 unc (1413);
The Osa family	the fief of San Cosmo (164), Tabia/Gariexem (1372), Bucana (1376), Djar il-Bniet (1376) and the money grant of 4 unc. (1373);
The Parera family	the fief of La Guardia (1448) and the money grant of 6 unc. (1448);
The Perollo family	the fiefs of Biebirua (1465), Buleben (1465), Buonchale (1465), San Martino (1466) and Gomerino (1481);
The Perregrino family	the fiefs of Baccuni (1347), Aynalcayd (1361), Benuarrat (1361), Cabelville/Suletti (1361), Jardino de lo Re (1361), Lachase (1361), Viridarium Magnum (1361) and Lu Zacuni (1372).
The Plusasco family	the fief of Maccalibim (1408);
The Ragusa family	the fief of Gomerino (1328);
The Sancheta family	the number of fiefs (15?);
The Sancto Philippo family	the fiefs of Antulinu (1372) and Galca (1372);
The Santa Sophia family	the fiefs of Dechandum (1361), Hayntufiegha (1361), Bajjada (1372), Cabelsulla (1372), Mechalcadetrin (1372), Rifutu (1372), Sintina (1372), Gomerino (1398) and Mayaliel (1408);
The Sardo family	the fief of Petra Lunga (1417);
The Solimella family	the fief of Gomerino (unknown);
The Spetere/Speteri family	the fief of Sancta Maria Magdalena (1439);
The Surdo family	the fief of Gomerino (1317);
The Tarento family	the fief of Petra Lunga (1408);
The Tarsia family	the money grant of 40 unc (1418);
The Torres family	the fief of Fiddien (unknown);
The Vaccaro family	the fiefs of Benuarrat (1398) and Culeja (1400) and the money grants of 24 unc. (1399) and 12 unc. (1409);
The Xiberras family	the money grant of 12 unc. (1520);
The Zavallos/Bavallos family	the fief of Milecha del Zoncol (1509).

TABLE 8A Simplified list showing persons ennobled by Maltese titles of nobility between 1530-1798 (Table shows Name, Date of Creation of title, and Date of formal receipt of title)

Name of Recipient	Date of Creation	Year of Formal receipt of title
Paolo and Beatrice Testaferrata	1710	1711
Gio Pio De Piro	1716	1716)
Milite Barone Marc' Antonio Inguanez and his wife Baroness Inguanez	1725	1725
Barone di Cicciano Fabritio Testaferrata	1725	1725
Baronessa di Gomerino Beatrice Cassia Testaferrata	1725	1725
Ferdinando Castelletti	1725	1725
Marchese di San Vincenzo Ferreri Mario Testaferrata	1725	1725
Carlo Falzon	1725	1725
Eleonora Testaferrata	1725	1725
Diego Antonio Galea Feriolo	1726	1726
Barone di San Marciano Diego Galea Feriolo	1725	1726
Barone Gio Pio de Piro	1725	1727
Isidoro Viani	1728	1728
Canon Giuseppe di Costanzo	1725	1729
Donna Rosa widow of Gio Battista di Costanzo	1725	1729
Barone Isidoro Viani	1725	1730
Baldassare Bonnici	1725	1732
Calcerano Mompalao	1725	1732
Giuseppe and Caterina Cuschieri	1725	1732
D. Vincenzo Platamone	1725	1730-1732
Antonio Bonnici	1725	1730 – 1732
Noble Ercole Martino Testaferrata	1710	1737
Ignazio Bonnici	1737	1737
Saverio Gatto	1737	1737
Barone Saverio Gatt	1725	1737
Alessandro Mompalao	1737	1737
Signor Ludovico Bianchi	1725	1741
Ignazio Muscati Falsone Navarra	1743	1743
Pietro Gaetano Perdicomati Bologna	1745	1745
Noble Lorenzo Galea Feriol	1726	1749
Giovanni Antonio Azzopardi Castelletti	1753	1754
Gaetano Pisani	1773	1773
Claudio Muscati Xiberras	1776	1776
Gio Francesco Dorell Falzon	1776	1776
Gaetano Azzopardi	1777	1777
Barone di Buleben (extension)	1777	1778
Carlo Antonio Barbaro	1778	1778
Marchese di San Giorgio extension	1778	1779
Francesco Gauci	1781	1781
Emmanuele and Paola Muscati	1737	1783
Luigi (Ludovico) Gatt	1783	1783
Gio Battista Mompalao	1783	1783
Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani	1728	1784
Salvatore Mallia Tabone	1785	1785
Calcedonio Azopardi	1777	1788
Saverio Alessi	1790	1790
Noble Giovanni Galea Feriolo	1726	1791
Ferdinando Teuma Castelletti	1792	1792
Marchese di San Giorgio (extension)	1778	1792
Ugolino Calleja	1792	1792
Filippo Apap	1792	1792
Marchese del Fiddien (extension)	1785	1793
Romualdo Barbaro	1794	1794
Saverio Marchesi	1794	1794
Dr. Ugolino Bonnici	1725	1794
Saverio Carbott Testaferrata	1794	1795
Vincenzo Fontani	1795	1795
Geronimo Delicata	1796	1796
Dr. Saverio Crispo	1725	1794-1798

TABLE 8B Simplified list showing persons in receipt of a fief between 1530-1798 (Table shows Name, Date of Creation and Date of Investiture)

Name of Recipient	Date of Creation	Year of Investiture
Giacinto Cassia	1638	1638
Nicolo Cilia	1644	1644
Silvestro Fiteni on behalf of his wife Generosa daughter of Cesara Passalacqua	1646	1646
Gio. Antonio Cassia	1638	1655
Pietro Cassia	1638	1658
Domenica Cassia, wife of Stanislao Xara,	1638	1689
Petrum Paulum Xara	1638	1721
Nobilis Stanislaus Xara	1638	1749
Felicita Chiara Sant	1638	1797

TABLE 8C Simplified list showing persons ennobled by foreign titles of nobility and registered in Malta between 1530-1798 (Table shows Name, Date of Creation and Date of Registration)

Name of Recipient	Date of Creation	Year of Registration
Giuseppe Preziosi	1718, 1720)
Bernardo Piscopo	1720	1721
Bernardo Piscopo	1724	1744
Barone Gio Pio De Piro	1742	1743)
Documentation relative to the reception of The Patrician of Rome Don Salvatore Wzzini Paleologo, a professed knight of the Military Order of Saint James in Portugal, and the Count Ignazio Francesco Wzzini Paleologo, descendants of the most august Paleologo family of Comneno Angelo Lascaris and Duca, of the Emperors of the East	unknown origin	1744)
Baldassare Fenech Bonnici	1748	1750
Giorgio Fournier de Pausier	1770	1775
Salvatore Baldassare Sant	1770	1775
Serafino Ciantar	1777	1778

TABLE 8D Simplified list showing persons ennobled by foreign titles of nobility and recognized between 1530-1798 according to 1878 Report of Royal Commission appointed to enquire into the claims of the Maltese Nobility (Table shows Name, Date of Creation and Date of Recognition)

Name of Recipient	Date of Creation	Year of Recognition
Francesco Gatto	1350	1725
Fabrizio Testaferrata	1695	1725
Mario Testaferrata	1716	1725
Ignazio Wzzini	unknown	1722

TABLE 8E Simplified list showing persons ennobled by foreign titles of nobility but proof of creation pending, according to 1878 Report of Royal Commission appointed to enquire into the claims of the Maltese Nobility and according to British Secretary of State for the Colonies (Table shows Name and Date of Creation)

Name of Recipient	Date of Creation
Salvatore Manduca	1776

TABLE 8F Simplified list showing persons ennobled by foreign titles of nobility and recognized between 1530-1798 according to 1878 Report of Royal Commission appointed to enquire into the claims of the Maltese Nobility but subsequently dismissed by British Secretary of State for the Colonies as “not recognized” (Table shows Name and Date of Creation)

Name of Recipient	Date of Creation
Giacomo Testaferrata	1637
Massimiliano Balzano	1698

TABLE 8G Simplified list showing persons ennobled by foreign titles of nobility between 1530-1798 but not registered/recognized according to 1878 Report of Royal Commission appointed to enquire into the claims of the Maltese Nobility (Table shows Name and Date of Creation)

Mariano Testaferrata	1553
Monsignor Don Leonardo Abela, Bishop of Sidonia	1590
Placido and Alessandro Abela	1590
Pietro di Ferro	1590
Ascanio Surdo	1590
Paolo Testaferrata	1590
Matteo de Ribera	1638
N.N. Testaferrata (?)	1674
Conte di Casandola	1685
Mario Testaferrata	1717
Giorgio Fournier de Pausier	1768
Noble, Roman Patrician and Roman Senator (origins unknown to the Commission but see registered entry dated 4th July 1744)	(unknown)
Marchese Giuseppe Enrico Testaferrata	1791
Marchese Don Mario Testaferrata Castelletti	1792
Don Daniele and Don Pandolfo Testaferrata De Noto	1792
Barone P.P. Testaferrata Abela	1792
N.N. Barbaro (?)	(unknown)
N.N. Fontani (?)	(unknown)
N.N. Stagno (?)	(unknown)

[edit] References

1. Correspondence and Report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the claims and grievances of the Maltese Nobility, May 1878, presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty (C.-2033.) For full text see http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/Maltese%20Nobility%201878%20Correspondence%20Commissioners%20report%20and%20Supplemental%20Page%201%20to%2014.pdf http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/Maltese%20Nobility%201878%20Correspondence%20Commissioners%20report%20and%20Supplemental%20Page%2015%20to%2032.pdf http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/Maltese%20Nobility%201878%20Correspondence%20Commissioners%20report%20and%20Supplemental%20Page%2033%20to%2046.pdf http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/Maltese%20Nobility%201878%20Correspondence%20Commissioners%20report%20and%20Supplemental%20Page%2047%20to%2060.pdf

2. Report of the Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility on the claims of certain members of that body with the Secretary of State’s Reply, August 1883, presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty (C-3812) For full text see http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/Maltese%20Nobility%201883%20Report%20of%20Special%20Committee%20and%20Correspondence.pdf

3. Copies or Extracts of Correspondence with reference to the Maltese Nobility (In continuation of C3812, August 1883), presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty May 1886 (C-4628a) For full text see http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/1886%20report%20no%204628a.pdf

4. Montalto, John, The nobles of Malta, 1530-1800 / John Mantalto Midsea Books, Valletta, Malta : 1979 ASIN: B0000EE028

5. Charles Gauci "The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta" (Gulf Publishing, Malta, 1981)" ASIN: B0000EDUI4

6. Charles Gauci A Guide to the Maltese Nobility" (PEG Publications, Malta, 1986) ISBN 999900122X

7. Charles Gauci "The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta VOLUME TWO " (PEG Publications, Malta, 1992) ASIN: B0018V7SUA

8. Charles Gauci "The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta VOLUME ONE " (PEG Publications, Malta, 2002) ASIN: B0018W7TVM

9. Anon “The Family of Inguanez” (Malta, 1888) - reprinted in 1979 to form part of Marcel DINGLI ATTARD, “The Family of Inguanez”(Interprint Malta, 1979) ASIN: B0000EEAZL

10. Cassar Desain, Marchese L.A., " Genealogia della famiglia Testaferrata di Malta." Malta, 1880

11. Abela Della Descrittione di Malta del Commendatore Abela, 1647 ASIN: B000VDOSF4

12. Abela & Ciantar, Malta Illustrata, Malta 1780 ASIN: B000VDMIRY

13. Farrugia Randon, Marquis Nicolo Testaferrata de Noto, 1993 ISBN 9990941092

14. Farrugia Randon, Cardinal Fabrizio Sceberras Testaferrata, 1988 ASIN: B0006EVTVO

15. Frendo, Maltese Political Development 1798-1964, 1993 ASIN: B000Q5P9RI

16. Galea, Malta's Timeline, Malta.

17. Goodwin, Stefan MALTA MEDITERRANEAN BRIDGE, 2002 ISBN 0-89789-820-6

18. Marquis de Ruvbigny, “The Nobilities of Europe” 1910 (reprint 2005) ISBN 1-4021-8561-8

19. The British claim to rule Malta 1800-1813 by Howard Davis and Barry Hough in Melita Historica (new series), 14(2007)4(387-407)

20. Desmond Gregory Malta, Britain, and the European powers, 1793-1815 ISBN 978-0838635902

21. Melita Historica: http://www.geocities.com/melitahistoricab/19579.html;

22. Melita Historica: http://www.geocities.com/melitahistoricab/19597.html

23. Melita Historica:http://www.geocities.com/melitahistoricab/195213.html

24. Strickland v. Apap Bologna [1883], Privy Council A.C. 106

25. Sceberras D’Amico v. Sceberras Trigona [1888], Privy Council A.C. 806

26. Cassar Desain v. Testaferrata Moroni Viani [1925] Privy Council A.C. 416

27. Sammut v Strickland [1938] Privy Council A.C. 678, 701.

28. George Cassar Desain v. James Cassar Desain Viani [1948] Privy Council A.C. 18

29. Chesney Sceberras D’Amico vs Cuschieri Malta Court of Appeal [1957] 10 June 1957

30. Ramsay v Bugeja [2004] Malta Civil Court 1722/2001/1

31. Bugeja Viani v Attorney General Malta Constitutional Court [2007] 57/2006, [2007] 57/2006/1

32. Maltagenealogy.com http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/SME1.htm http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility/biograghyofmaltesetitles.htm http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/SME2.htm

33. A.O.M. refers to Archives of the Order found at the National Library, Malta.

External links

• Libro d'Oro di Melita
• Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility
• The Assocation of Foreign Titleholders in Malta
• Old and Notable Families described by G.F. Abela in 1647 (The original Maltese Nobility).
• Maltese Noble Families living and Extinct as at 1725
• “The Nobles of Malta, and The Maltese Gentry holding Foreign Titles as at present existing by Geo. G.C.’A. Crispo Barbaro Marquis of St. George” Malta:- A.D. MDCCCLXX
• Short Sketch of the Maltese Nobility” by M.C.D. (1876)
• Table showing grantees of various titles of Nobility in Malta, prior to the year 1798, indicating the descent of various claimants during the Royal Commission 1877-1878
• Table of Grants, Amendments and Investitures of Titles of Nobility by the Grand Masters of the Order of Saint John, as Sovereigns of Malta (1530-1798), including titles and dignities received from Foreign Sovereigns during the same period
• Reference Value of 19th Century Reports
• The importance of independent legal and factual bases for titles of Nobility in Malta
• Identifying the criteria adopted by the Royal Commissioners appointed to enquire into the claims of the Maltese Nobility, for rendering simple fiefs into noble fiefs
• An act of recognition dated 1878
• HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF TITLES DISPOSABLE BY NOMINATION.
• different rules for different titles
• There are supposedly 32 titles which form the “Maltese Nobility
• Notes on succession of Maltese titles of Nobility since 1798
• Verifying the authenticity of claims
• Volume 548 of the Archives of the Order
• Debunking a Maltese myth on succession of foreign titles
• Notes to exclude applying foreign rules to the succession of a Maltese title of Nobility
• Reassessing the Maltese value of the foreign title of Patrician.
• Notes on published successions of titles of Nobility in Malta
• The Battle for Representation between the “Assembly of the Maltese Nobility” and the “Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility”
• Other 19th Century Nobiliary Bodies in Malta
• Description of the system of precedence amongst the Maltese Nobility, as established in the 18th Century.
• The quiet usurpation of the titles “Illustrissimo” and “Nobile”, later “The Most Noble”
• 18th century Maltese Titles of “Most Illustrious” and “Noble” (the basis of the 19th Century sobriquet “The Most Noble”)(Malta’s historic untitled Nobility)
• The unmaking and remaking of the Marchese Cassar Desain
• translation from Maltese to English of the 2 Court Judgments (2004 and 2009) relating to the title of Baron of Tabria (1728) granted to Isidoro Viani by Grand Master Vilhena
• appraisal of various publications regarding the Maltese Nobility which were published 1980-1992.
• Notes on various aspects of certain foreign titles in Malta as published 1981-1992.
• Notes on the foreign titles of Prince of Selimbria, Prince of Mystra, and the foreign titles of Duke of Mondello and Count of Santa Sofia as well as notes on “Burke’s Peerage”
• The Barons Testaferrata (1710 and 1737).
• Titles of Baron of Gomerino (Baron of Gomerino and Baron Testaferrata)
• The Counts Manduca (1776).
• Titles of Count of Mont’ Alto (Count of Mont’ Alto and Count Manduca).
• Title of ‘Conte’ enjoyed by the family Wzzini Paleologo
• Titles of Barone di Friginuini
• Title of Marchese del Fiddien
• Titles of Noble Patrician of Messina (Testaferrata)
• Title of Marquis de Piro
• Title of Marquis of San Vincenzo Ferreri
• Title of Marquis Testaferrata
• More documentation relative to the 19th century claims to the 1717 title of Marchese Testaferrata.
• Marchesi di San Giorgio (“Marquises St. George”).
• Titles of Marchese della Taflia.
• Maltese “Hereditary Knights of the Holy Roman Empire”.
• Title of Conte di Santi.
• Title of Conte di Meimum.
• Title of Count of Beberrua.
• Title of Count della Catena.
• Title of Barone granted to Francesco Gauci.
• Title of Baron of Culeja (a.k.a “Qlejjgha” and “Qlejja”)
• Barony of Marsa
• Barony of Grua
• The title of Barone di Djar il-Bniet et Buqana
• Barony of Castel Cicciano
• Title of Baron of Buleben
• Title of Baron of Benuarrat (a.k.a “Benwarrad”)
• Genealogies of Feudal Maltese Titles
• Genealogies of Titles Granted by the Grand Masters
• Genealogies of ‘Maltese’ Titles Created by foreign Sovereigns