Schembri

Schembri (/ˈʃkɛmbri/ ; [shkem-bree]) is an Italian/Maltese surname. Notable people with the surname include:

• Andre Schembri (born 1986), footballer who plays for AC Omonia in Cypriot First Division.
• Antonio Schembri ornithologist
• Emanuel Schembri, professional weightlifter and Maltese record holder in the 105 kg+ category
• Eric Schembri, ex-professional footballer for Gzira United and Malta
• Fabrizio Schembri, Italian professional long and triple jump athlete
• Karl Schembri (born 1978), Maltese writer and journalist
• Keith Schembri, chief of staff to the Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat
• Mark Schembri, Maltese single and doubles tennis player
• Nino Schembri, professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter
• Salvinu Schembri, ex-professional footballer for Sliema Wanderers and Malta
• Carmelo Schembri, former Chief Justice of Malta

Derivation

It is an Italian/Maltese surname derived from the old Sicilian/Italian 'schombri' for mackerel. The origin of the name suggests that the Schembri family were originally fishermen that specialized in mackerel, therefore a surname connected to a profession rather than a place. There are also theories that it derives from the Maltese 'Xkembri', which is a type of lemon. In Malta and Italy/Sicily the surnames Schembri, Xkembri, Scembri and Schembari are simply variations of the same name with identical origin. Either way the surname originates in Sicily/Malta. Originally, the Schembri family where documented from Sicily and Southern Italy before moving to Malta in the 9th century where today the surname is prominent. However, it is possible that there were Schembris in Malta before this.