Surname Sammut - Meaning and Origin
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Sammut: What does the surname Sammut mean?
The last name Sammut is of Maltese origin and is believed to have derived from the Arabic phrase “samut” meaning “protector or guard”. According to Maltese tradition, the Sammut family were well-respected knights and warriors that defended Malta from foreign invasion during the Middle Ages. The name is also evident in other cultures and languages across Europe, including German, Italian and English, where similar words of “protection” can be found in similar contexts.
The Sammut surname has come to signify strong roots in Maltese culture. It is the common surname of many prominent families, including politicians, lawyers, writers and judges, and is connected to several surnames, including Camilleri, Farrugia, Grech, and Portelli. Common places that the surname is known to originate from include Valletta, Mdina and Qormi, representing the birthplace of the modern Maltese nation.
In present-day, the last name Sammut serves as an unifying signifier of Maltese heritage. It is a reminder of the courage, strength, and perseverance of the Sammut family and all those who carry on their legacy. It stands as a powerful symbol of the importance of family values, loyalty, and the protection of one’s homeland.
Order DNA origin analysisSammut: Where does the name Sammut come from?
Sammut is a surname commonly found today in Malta and Gozo, two small islands in the Mediterranean Sea. It is also somewhat common in the UK, with records of the name appearing in the 1881 census and records of various Sammut families in England going back to the late 1500s.
In Malta the surname originated in the town of Marsaxlokk, and can still be found there as well as in other parts of the country. Malta's population is Maltese by ethnicity, and so Sammut is a fairly common surname. It is most frequent on the islands of Gozo and Comino, where the highest concentration of Sammuts is located.
The surname is also popular in other countries with significant Maltese populations, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and the UK. As Maltese immigrants settled in these countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they often adopted the surname Sammut.
Overall, the surname Sammut has spread to many different parts of the world. It is most common in Malta and Gozo, but can also be found amongst Maltese communities in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
Variations of the surname Sammut
The surname Sammut is thought to have originated in Malta. The traditional spelling is in fact ‘Sammut’ and can be found spelled variously in almost any nationality where the family is located. Variations may include Samut, Sammont, Sammuts, Sammutt, Sammote, Samoila, Samout and Simut. In some instances, the spelling has become slightly corrupted and some people might mistakenly spell it as Sam (sans mutation marker) or Samus.
In Italy, Sammut may be found spelled Sambaldi, Sambaldo and Samboidi. In Spain, the same surname may be spelled Samboti, Sambotti, or Sambud. In Portugal it may be found spelled Samud, Samuda, or Samudio.
The surname Sammut is often found in Malta, Europe, North Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Canada, and the United States. Sammut is both a patronymic name and an occupational name; it was taken on by a family of people who were descended from someone named Sammut, or it was taken on to show an occupation or characteristic, such as “maker of mattresses.”
The Sammut name began to be used in the 13th century, with Sammut inscriptions found in Malta, France, Italy and Spain. The coat of arms is part of the traditional Sammut lineage, thought to be over 800 years old. It features three crescents in silver, with a black and white checkered border. The crest also features a Maltese lion holding a sword, flanked by two kneeling Maltese knights. This was the crest of the Barón Sammut family.
The Sammut surname has evolved throughout the centuries, with spellings and variants. There is strong evidence that it has its origins in a small Mediterranean island, and that it has been in use for centuries.
Famous people with the name Sammut
- Jesmond Sammut: Malta-born Australian former football (soccer) player
- Roderick Sammut: Maltese professional footballer
- Mary Anne Sammut: Maltese singer, actress, teacher, and writer
- Robert Sammut: Australian photographer
- Lawrence Sammut: Australian contemporary artist
- Mark Sammut: Maltese professional footballer
- Christian Sammut: Maltese professional racing driver
- Piers Sammut: Maltese professional golfer
- David Sammut: Maltese cyclist
- Antony Sammut: Maltese lawyer, politician, and diplomat
- Liza Sammut: Maltese musician
- Alfred Sammut: Maltese sculptor
- Owen Sammut: Australian professional cricketer
- Luke Sammut: Australian professional seven-a-side footballer
- Jodie Sammut: Australian broadcasting and media personality
- Hugo Sammut: Australian professional tennis player