Gauci

Gauci is a surname in use mainly in the Republic of Malta which originates from the word Għawdxi (pronounced [ˈaˤːw.dʃe]; meaning Gozitan), in reference to a man from Gozo.[1]

According to the Dictionary of American Family Names,[2] it originated in Italy, flourished in Malta and from Malta spread to the UK, US, Canada and Australia with the Maltese diaspora; this would be due to the immigration (and also exile) of large numbers of people from Italy to Malta, although the name still appears in Italy. However, according to Professor Joseph Aquilina, Malta's foremost specialist in Maltese etymology and author of the encyclopaedic Maltese–English Dictionary, the surname is a Maltese original formation, originating in the medieval notarial transcription of the word "Għawdxi", meaning Gozitan or from the island of Gozo. As such, "Għawdxi" is a nickname frequently given to Gozitans living or working in Malta. This origin would classify Italian holders of the surname as descendants of Maltese immigrants, rather than vice versa.

In 1548, Francesco Gauci built Gauci Tower to protect his family.[3]

Approximately 0.0001% of the US population has this surname.[4]

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ Morana, Martin (2012). Ara x'int tgħid: glossarju enċiklopediku ta' termini storiċi, toponimi, qwiel u idjomi, tradizzjonijiet Maltin, kurżitajiet oħra (in Maltese). Martin Morana. p. 82. ISBN 9789995703608. OCLC 830362895.
  2. ↑ Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508137-4
  3. ↑ "Gauci Tower" (PDF). National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  4. ↑ Patrick Hanks, "American Family Name Origins". Dictionary of American Family Names. 2006
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