Muscat: The Surname That Smells Sweet as Musk

Have you ever met someone called Muscat and wondered what their name might mean? It is a super common Maltese surname and it carries a few interesting stories!

One idea is that Muscat comes from the Latin word muscus, meaning musk, a fragrant smell that made it feel fancy. It might also link to Muscat grapes, used to make sweet wine or maybe even perfume! The name likely started in Sicily, especially around Catania, and became a well-loved name in Malta.Another explanation suggests the name is just a variation of the Italian surname Muscato or the German/Jewish Muskat. So the people who first had this name might have had roots in different parts of Europe.

Today, the name Muscat is one of the most popular in Malta about one in every sixty-eight people has this surname!

And guess who shares this surname?

Joseph Muscat, who was Prime Minister of Malta from 2013 to 2020, led the country for two whole terms!

In arts and music, there is Emma Muscat, a singer who represented Malta in Eurovision 2022, and Jessika Muscat, who took to the stage for San Marino in Eurovision 2018.

So next time you hear Muscat, you can tell your friends it might mean “musk glass” or be linked to sweet grapes, and that it’s a name worn by leaders and singing stars from Malta!

#MaltaDaily