Schembri: A Bold Name with Shadows and Saddles!

Have you ever wondered where the surname Schembri comes from? It is a very well-known Maltese surname, and there are some exciting stories behind it!

One theory says Schembri comes from a place called Shkëmber, possibly in Albania. The name might have travelled to Sicily with Albanian warriors, and later made its way to Malta.

Another idea comes from an Arabic word meaning “saddle maker” like someone who made saddles for horses!

Some people think the name might also connect with the idea of “darkness”, perhaps from Sicilian or Arabic words for dark or shade.

No matter which tale is true, Schembri is super common in Malta about 1 in every 87 people has this surname!

Here are some famous Maltese people with the name:

André Schembri, a top footballer who played for Malta and scored important goals in Europe.

Lorraine Schembri Orland, a judge who serves on the European Court of Human Rights.

Antonio Schembri, a 19th-century bird expert who wrote Malta’s first checklist of birds all in Italian.

So next time you hear the name Schembri, remember, it might mean someone from Shkëmber, or a saddle maker, or perhaps hint at the shadows and it has been carried by football stars, legal heroes, and bird lovers alike!

#MaltaDaily