Farrugia is a family name with a theoretical etymology based in both Latin fellus and Semitic faruj, first found in Calabria, Sicily[1] and Malta. In the Maltese language the word farruġ refers to a cockerel (a young rooster).[2] It has been exported by immigration to places including the United States, United Kingdom (specifically Wales and England), Australia and Canada. Spelling variations of this family name include Farruggia, Farruġa, Ferrugia and Ferruggia.
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Origin
First found in Sicily an island in the Mediterranean, a part of Italy. The original inhabitants were Sicels. The Greeks colonized in 735 B.C.E. Phoenician settlements began in 6th century. Carthaginians arrived 410. Romans arrived, then the Saracens. Then the Norman Conquest said to be Sicily's brightest hour, 1057 B.C.E.
Early on, individuals with this family name (or some variant) moved to the island of Malta, neighbouring Sicily. Many settlers were recorded from the end of the 19th century in the great migration from Italy to the New World. Usually arriving at Ellis Island they settled in the eastern seaboard.
The Medieval Maltese hamlet of Ħal Farruġ[3] was so named because of the large concentration of families there with the surname. However due to economic and social growth, many individuals have dispersed to other parts of the country or have emigrated.
Farrugias in Early History
- Pietro Farrugia, a nobleman from Villabianca, appointed Judge of the Praetorian Court in 1761, later promoted to the office of Judge of the Supreme Court, in 1772.
- Caterina Farrugia, Queen of Sicily in the early 1800s.
- Natalie Farrugia, Mistress to the Grand Master Adolph von Hompesch in the late 1700s.
Notable Farrugias
Maltese
- Tyrone Farrugia (1989- ) - Footballer
- Ray Farrugia (1955- ) - Football coach
- Daniel J. Farrugia (1974- ) - Mayo Clinic researcher
- Joseph Farrugia - Footballer
- Joseph Farrugia - Bishop of the Votivkirche in Vienna, Austria
- Emanuel Farrugia - Consultant engineer on the Channel Tunnel project
- Charles J. Farrugia Space Scientist
Panama
- Luis Humberto "El Mago" Farrugia (1919-1991) Hall of Fame Racing Horse Trainer
References
- ^ The Sicily DNA-Genealogy Project - Family Project Website
- ^ Gatt, Ġużi p. 112 Qiegħda fil-Ponta ta' Lsieni, (2005) Klabb Kotba Maltin
- ^ PARROCCA TA' SANT' ANDRIJA - HAL LUQA - Zona Pastorali ta' Hal Farrug
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