Micallef is a Maltese

surname In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name, ...

. It has been recorded in

Malta Malta ( , , ), officially the Republic of Malta ( mt, Repubblika ta' Malta ), is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of an archipelago, between Italy and Libya, and is often considered a part of Southern Europe. It li ...

since ancient times, and its origins probably lie in the name Micali, a variant of Michael (in

Hebrew Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...

, Michael means "Who is like God"). However, another possible derivation for the surname is the Maltese word "mħallef", which means 'judge', and thus its origin is not certain. This surname is found in various Medieval records, normally as Makluffi. Prior to the late 15th century, most people bearing this surname were of the Jewish faith. Recorded in over two hundred spellings, some examples of which are shown below, this is a European medieval surname of crusader, but ultimately biblical origins. Deriving from the ancient Hebrew name "Mich-ael" meaning "He who is like god", it was introduced from the holy land by returning warriors from the various crusades commencing In the 12th century and which continued for several centuries with minimal success. During the period of the Christian Revival at this time, the name rapidly became established at firstly one of the most popular baptismal names, and within a generation as one of the early surnames. Part of this popularity was due to the conviction that the name was originally the war cry of the arcángel, in his defeat of Satan! A large range of spellings have developed in every Christian country of the Western Hemisphere, these spellings include Michael, and Myatt. (England), Mitchell, and Mitchell (Scotland), Miell, Miall, Mitchel, Micheau, and Michel (France), Michele and Micheli (Italy), Miguel (Portugal and Spain), Miell and Michal (Poland), Michel (Hungary), with diminutives Michelet, Michelin (France), mische, Mish, Misisch and Miscke (Germany), Michalik and Mielnik (Poland), Michaley (Czech), Miko (Hungary), and patronymics such as Michaelson, Mikkelson, Mikhalkov, Michaeliewicz, and many more.

People

Andrew Micallef Andrew Micallef (born 7 February 1969) is a Maltese painter and musician. He is known for his highly detailed paintings of Maltese flora and fauna, landscapes, seascapes and architecture. He has held numerous solo exhibitions, and has also illu ...

(born 1969), Maltese painter and musician *

Corrado Micalef Corrado Micalef (born April 20, 1961) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey goaltender who played five seasons with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League from 1981 to 1986. He later spent several years playing in Europe, ret ...

, Canadian, hockey goaltender *

Ian Micallef Ian Micallef (born 6 September 1969, Gzira, Malta) is the former President of the Chamber of Local Authorities of the Congress of the Council of Europe. He was elected to that position in May 2006 and re-elected on 27 May 2008 for a two-year pe ...

(born 1969), Maltese politician *

John Micallef John Micallef (1923–2003) was a Maltese philosopher. Although his thoughts remained philosophically grounded in the Christian tradition, he was primarily interested in Existentialism. Life Micallef was born in Victoria, Gozo, one of Malta's su ...

(1923–2003), Maltese philosopher *

Luciano Micallef Luciano Micallef is a Maltese born abstract artist. He is one of most famous in Malta for abstract art & has multiple paintings all over the island. Early life He was born in Birkirkara, Malta on 1 November 1954. At age 10, he started study ...

(born 1954), Maltese artist *Richard Micallef (born 1989), Maltese musician, member of

Firelight ''Firelight'' is a 1997 period romance film written and directed by William Nicholson and starring Sophie Marceau and Stephen Dillane. Written by William Nicholson, the film is about a woman who agrees to bear the child of an anonymous English ...

Roxanne Micallef Roxanne Micallef (born 11 April 1997) is a Maltese footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Malta women's national team. Career She made her debut for the Malta national team on 27 February 2019 against Estonia Estonia, formally the ...

(born 1997), Maltese footballer *

Shaun Micallef Shaun Patrick Micallef (; born 18 July 1962) is an Australian comedian, actor, writer and television presenter. He is currently the host of the satirical news comedy series '' Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell'' on the ABC. He also hosted the game ...

, Australian comedian * Constantinous Micallef, Welsh footballer * Joseph R. Micallef (born 1956), Maltese judge * Mario Micallef, Associate Mathematics Professor at Warwick University

References

* Maltese-language surnames {{surname-stub