Meet the Fenechs – Malta’s Bunny Name with a Big Story

Hop to it, because one of the most famous surnames in Malta is Fenech. It comes from the Maltese word fenek, which means rabbit. Yes, you read that right, if your last name is Fenech, you are basically linked to one of Malta’s most popular animals.

The name probably started out as a nickname many years ago. Maybe someone was quick like a rabbit, or maybe they kept rabbits for food. Over time, the name stuck and spread.

Today, Fenech is one of the top surnames in Malta. You will find Fenechs in sport, business and politics. There was even a famous painter called Antoine Favray who married a Maltese woman named Caterina Fenech in the 1700s, showing the name has been around for centuries.

So next time you hear the name Fenech, remember,  it is more than just a surname. It is a piece of Maltese history with a rabbit twist.

#MaltaDaily