Genealogy

The origins of Savona-Ventura surname

The surname Savona-Ventura is a recent combination of two old families - Savona and Ventura - initiated with the marriage of Michael Savona of Hamrun to Angelica (sive Janie) Ventura of Kalkara in 1954. The parent family initially resided at Cospicua, but subsequently settled at Kalkara. The family has since gone through a further two generations.

The origins of the Savona surname

The surname Savona has been interpreted to be Jewish surname referring to the place by that name. This was probably adopted by a Jewish converso family living in the city possibly during the fifteenth century. The latter however may be a misinterpretation. [1] Another source suggests that the family arrived in Malta from Italy during the 17th century from Italy. This is definitely erroneous. [2]

The city of Savona in the Liguria Region on the northern coast of Italy is a small (pop. 1951: 68698) industrial city with iron, ship building, glass and tin plate works. It also exports preserved fruits and tomatoes. It is not lacking in works of art: among them a Polyptych by Foppa in the Church of S. Maria del Castello; the Renaissance Cathedral with the magnificent Baptistery dating from before the 11th century; the Palazzo pozzobonello which contains a small but interesting collection of pictures with about 90 works by Donato de’ Bardi, Mazoni and Foppa; and the Palazzo delle Rovere designed by Sangallo. Facing onto the harbour is the Tower of Leon Pancaldo named after the Savona navigator who sailed with Magellan; and the Priamar Fortress behind the Public Gardens on a height. The medieval name of the city of Savona was Sagona (Sagona–Saona–Savona; compare Ligorno–Liorno–Livorno). The Savona crest in use in Malta is figured below. Other crests are reportedly in use in France and England respectively [3].
 
The earliest mention of the surname form Savona in the Maltese Islands dates to the sixteenth century when a Giulio Savona [sive Saona] is known to have served as Juror of Gozo in 1542 and Hakem in 1548-49. However the same person is referred to by a different author as Giuliano Sagona, so the origins of the name must follow the earlier Sagona individuals. [4]

The earliest Sagona mentioned in the local literature was Don Rogerius de Sagona, a native of Gozo and Canon of the Cathedral of Malta in the late 14th century. In 1398-1410 he received a number of Royal writs. He was married and had a son – Anthony – and a daughter. [5] On the 15th October 1398, the benefice of the Annunciation of the Virgin, also known as Tas-Saqqajja, on Gozo was passed on to the priest Rogerius Saguna at his own request wherein it is clearly stated that the benefice had been fundatum olim per quondam Sibiliam de Aragonia et dotatum per eamdem sub jure patronatus propter eius Sibilie mortem absque legitima herede vacat ad presens in manibus nostre curie cui Sibilie in dicto beneficio ipsa nostra curia successit. Although Ferres calls Saguna a Maltese priest, he was in fact de Insola Gaudisii. [6]

Another Sagona who held several benefices by right of juspatronatus was the Gozitan Matteo Sagona was recorded as witness to various notarial deeds dated 1465-1487. He was dead by 1500. His descendants occupied a number of administrative posts and married into several important families. They have been traced down to 17 generations with the surname form changing from Sagona to Savona in the 16th century. [7] The surname Savona has thus been said to have had alternative forms including Sagona, Saona, and Sahon. The Sahon surname is mentioned in the Militia List of 1419 with one person being listed from Rabat-Mdina. [8]

The Commendatore Giovanni Francesco Abela in 1647 described the Sagona family. Di questa famiglia, che fu` delle primarie, non meno in Malta, che nel Gozo, ritrouiamo essere stato Giurato della nostra Citta` Bernardo nel 1471. Nardo pure Giurato nel 1476. Nicolo` similmente Giurato negli' anni 1513, 1514, 1517, 1520, 1521, 1522, 1526 & 1531. Cittadino di molta bonta`, e rettidudine, come si puo` far conseguenza dall'essere stato eletto per tanti anni, ad amministrare quel carico, massimamente ch'allora, co'l suffragio di certo numero di Cittadini, si faceva lo scrutinio degl'officiali. Nardo Sagona sopraintedente alle publiche fabriche della Cittá allora chiamato Marammeri nel 1487. Cola Sagona Vicesegreto nel Gozo, per priuilegio concedutogh dalli Regi Giovanna, e Carlo l'anno 1516 dato in Bruselles a` 30.  Di Settembre v. Ind. E Giuliano Sagona Capitano del Gozo nel 1548. [9] Canon Giovanni Pietro Francesco Agius de Soldanis in 1746 wrote that "The Sagona family is also called Saguna and Saona. It is very ancient in both Islands. In 1300 Don Ruggiero Sagona, a native of Gozo and Canon of the Cathedral of Malta founded the benefice called Tad-Dawwara in the region of Gerduf. From the offices the members of this family held in the seventeenth century one can see that the Grand Masters considered this family to be a noble family. In 1543, the nobleman Nicholas Sagona was secretary in Gozo. This is what he wrote about himself: 'Nicoló Sagona Vice-Secretary in Gozo by a privilege granted to him by Queen Giovanna and King Charles in 1516, from Brussels, on 30 September 1516'". [10]

The surname form Sagona remains one of the Maltese surnames as Seguna, which surname has a definite coat-of-arm crest different from that of Savona. The Sultana family also has a different coat-of-arms. [12]

The origins of the Ventura surname

The true origin of the surname Ventura is still not determined. The Ventura family line appears to traces its ancestral roots to the ancient territories of Italy between the 11th and 12th centuries, and the family held lands and estates in Italy. The family was also allied to other influential feudal families. While the surname is generally interpreted as representing "good fortune", it has been suggested that the family may have been originally of Jewish origin - the surname originating from the name “Ben Torah” (son of the Law).

        The surname Ventura is very common in Italy today, where it can have the form Venturi, Venturella, Venturelli, Venturin, Venturino, and BonaVentura. The first reference to the Ventura family occurs in 1299 in the City of Salerno (Naples, South of Italy) where it is included among the feudal noble families of the region. It obtained possession of various feudal holdings and extended its influence to the Otranto region, including Morice and Polmerice during the time of John II. It built links through marriage with various noble Siabiese families. Later, this family moved to Bari, Taranto and Trani (South-east of Italy) where its members had responsibilities in the city. Members of the Ventura family were accepted as suitable to join the Order of St. John of Malta. [13] A number of Italian medieval members of the Ventura family have been identified. There was a Roberto Ventura, baron of Casanova, who was a Foreign Minister of Charles I. The ecclesiastic records report the birth of a Guiseppe Ventura in Venice in 1565;  the baptism of a Grazia Ventura in the parish of Saint Nicholas of Strada of Caserta in 1637; and of a Giovanni Ventura in the St Lawrence of Genoa. [14] The surname currently has a wide distribution in Italy and its neighbouring islands of Sicily and Sardinia being found in at least 1346 comuni. [15]

        The Ventura family has also Spanish-Portuguese links and may have originated from that region, though it appears more likely that they extended their influence there later. The ecclesiastic records report the baptism of a Ventura in the parish San Gil and Holy Ana of Granada on the 7th December 1550; the marriage of Eufracia Ventura on the 7th August 1586 in Azagra (Navarre); the baptism of Gabriela Ventura on the 3rd May 1595 in the parish of San Pedro of Abrera of Barcelona; and the marriage of Angela Ventura in Holy Maria Falces of Navarre on the 15th November 1645. It is said also that the surname Ventura comes from Navarre and more particularly from Ejea de los Caballeros (Province of Teruel). The surname Ventura is mentioned in the Real Chancillería of Valladolid (in which there remain the processes of nobility of the Kingdom of Castile, correspondents to the populations living in the north of the river Tagus in the years between 1488 and 1834). It is also mentioned in the Real Chancillería of Granada (populations living in the south of the river Tagus) and in the Real Audencia of Aragon (index of the Processes of Nobility preserved in the historical file of the Royal Audience of Aragon). [16]

In Malta, the first person bearing the surname Ventura has been to date traced to the sixteenth century at the time of the Great Siege in 1565. A Fra Vincenzo Ventura served as a lieutenant to Fra Vincenzo Anastagi who was one of the six knights entrusted by Grandmaster La Valette to reconnoitre the island and to follow the movements of the Turkish fleet and army. Fra Anastagi sent Fra Ventura from Mdina to spy on the enemy's movements, during which excursion he captured the previously defected French fife-player who had revealed military secrets to the Turkish general. [17] Fra Vincenzo Ventura is also mentioned by the chronicler Francisco Balbi di Correggio who reports that the knight had acquitted himself well in one of the skirmishes against the Turks during the first week of June. He had been in command of twenty-five arquebusiers and managed to capture a Turkish standard. [18] The records of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem also record the existence of another 18th century Knight of the Order – Francesco Ventura. On the 2nd November 1703, he was recorded as being given a concession "di supersessoria" for two years. [19] Francesco also features in the manuscript volumes of the "Spogli" dated 1723. These consisted in the produce of all the personal effects of a knight at his death, if he was untested, and no trace of his will, or testament, had been found. It transpires that Francesco had been admitted to the Langue of Castille & Portugal [20]. In March 1617, the glove-maker Gioanne Ventura arrived to Malta from Lorraine to set up business in Malta. [21] In Malta, the present Ventura family line has been to date traced to the mid-seventeenth century Stamatello Ventura. [22] There are currently twelve Ventura households living on the Islands – all related. [23] Various crests are associated with the Ventura surname. [24] The crest in use in Malta is based on a red winged arrow centred in a white shield. [25]

Of silver, a lion rampant, of orange. Border of orange with eight scallop, of silver.	Of green, a small golden shield, with a lion, crowned, of purple.	Of blue, a yellow band in centre, with a V in upper band, lower band striped with white.
Of silver, nine cakes of azure, placed by three in three.	Of gold with dark blue bands; dark blue double headed bird and three blue pyramids. [Note signed E.R. Francicu (supplied by Marie Louise Ventura)]	Of gold, five biscuits of mouths, placed in long necklace. Of silver, four strips of mouths and overcoat a whole disc roulette of silver with arrow, which concerns its top, a head of Moorish king and to the subordinate, a bird, quite of course.

• [1] J. Aquilina: Papers in Maltese linguistics. University Press, Malta, 1981, p.187
• [2] M. Cassar: The Surnames of the Maltese Islands. Book Distributors Ltd, Malta, 2003, p.323
• [3] C.A. Gauci: An illustrated collection of the Coats-of-Arms of Maltese Families. PEG, Malta, 1996, p.164;House of Names. http://www.houseofnames.com/fc.asp?sId=&s=savona&text2.x=77&text2.y=2
• [4]GPF Agius de Soldanis. Il Gozo Antico-moderno e Sacro-profano, Isola Mediterranea adiacente a Malta Africana. Manuscript National Archives, Gozo, 1746. [English translation: A. Mercieca: Gozo. Ancient and Modern Religious and Profane. Media Centre Publ., Malta, 1999, Bk.I:p.134]
• [5] G.F. Abela: Della Descrittione di Malta Isola nel Mare Siciliano con le sue Antichita`, ed altri notitie. Paolo Bonacota, Malta, 1647, p.529 [facsimile copy Midsea Books Ltd, Malta, 1984]
• [6] GPF Agius de Soldanis, 1764. op.cit. [A. Mercieca, 1999: op. cit., BkII:p.171] ; V. Borg: The Maltese Diocese and the Sicilian Environment from the Norman Periods till 1500 AD. P.E.G. Ltd., Malta, 2008, p.77; S. Fiorini, Documentary Sources of Maltese History, Pt. II: Documents at the State Archives, Palermo, No. 1: Real Cancelleria (1259-1400), University of Malta Publications, Malta 1999, Doc. 248; Doc. 269 (25.v.1399).
• [7] V. Borg, 2008: op. cit., p.138; The family tree of Matteo Sagona is documented by  http://www.maltagenealogy.com/libro%20d'Oro/savona.html
• [8] G. Wettinger: List of Maltese Surnames from 1419 and 1480. http://www.laurence-pisani.co.uk/history/name/french/maltapisanifrench.htm
• [9] G.F. Abela, 1647: op. cit., p.529
• [10] GPF Agius de Soldanis, 1746: op. cit. [A. Mercieca, 1999: op. cit., BkII:p.171]
• [11] The family tree of Solimano bin Musa is documented by  http://www.maltagenealogy.com/libro%20d'Oro/sultana.html
• [12] C.A. Gauci, op. cit, p.158,182
• [13] Questa famiglia riconosce la sua origine dalla Citta` di Salerno (Napoli) fu` annoverata fra le nobili feudatorie e colla qualifica di Melita nel 1299 – passata in terra d’Otranto per causa del possesso di vari feudi, fra I quali quelli di Morice e Polmerice ai tempi di Giovanni II e per la parentela contratta con la nobile familglia Siabiase; diramatasi piu` tardi in Bari, in Taranto e Trani, fu` aggregata alla nobilta` di tutte quelle Citta`, e s’ illustro` per alti uffici e dignita` con titoli nobiliari e col vestire l’abito di Malta fin dal 1587. Trovandosi poi alla generale obligazione dei fedile, nel possesso del patriziato di Bari e di quello di Salerno, venne nell’ unico ramo alora estista ascritta due volte al registro della piazza Chiusa, il Feudo di Minervineo in terra l’ Otranto fu` eretta in Ducato da Carlo II Re di Spagna a favore di questa famiglia. [Note signed E.R. Francicu (supplied by Marie Louise Ventura)]
• [14] http://www.ifrance.com/losVentura/
• [15] http://gens.labo.net/it/cognomi/genera.html
• [16] http://www.ifrance.com/losVentura/
• [17] G. Bonello: An overlooked eyewitness's account of the Great Siege. Histories of Malta. Versions and Diversions. Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, Malta, vol.3:p.125
• [18] F. Balbi di Correggio: La Verdadera Relacion de todo lo que este ano de M.D.LXV. ha sucedido el la Isla de Malta. Barcelona, 1567-68 [trans. From the original Spanish by E. Bradford: The Siege of Malta 1565. Folio Society, London, 1965, p.67]
• [19] Catalogue of the Records of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in the National Library of Malta. Volume VI Archives 647: 1697-1706. [comp. J.S. Abela], University Press, Malta, 2001, p.41
• [20] An inventory of the manuscript volumes of the "Spoils" (1549-1772) preserved in the archives at the Cathedral Museum, Mdina - Malta. [comp. J. Galea], Hill Monastic Manuscript Lbrary, Minnesota, 1998, p.86 [Vol. 22 Chart ff.396, ann. 1723; ff.1-5] - see Appendix for copies of original spogli.
• [21] C. Cassar: Society, Culture and Identity in Early Modern Malta. Mireva Publ., Malta, 2000, p.111
• [22] The Ventura Family. Libro d’Oro di Melita – A genealogical website. http://www.maltagenealogy.com/libro%20d'Oro/Ventura.html
• [23] The 1996; 1998 and 2000 Telephone Directory lists twelve Ventura households living in six localities. TeleMalta Corporation: Lista Alfabetika tat-Telefon/Telephone Directory. TeleMalta Co., Malta, 1996, p.774; TeleMalta Corporation: Lista Alfabetika tat-Telefon/Telephone Directory. TeleMalta Co., Malta, 1998, p.805; MaltaCom: Direttorju tat-telefon/Telephone directory. MaltaCom, Malta, 2000, p.658, 746. The Hospital Patient Data File (as on 18/2/1999) records a total of 24 Ventura’s, living in seven localities in Malta.
• [24] http://www.ifrance.com/losVentura/.  Also reported but not depicted: a shield with a red background overlain by a gold Fleur de Lys. [Ventura Family: http://www.genealogyweb.com/cgi-bin/cntry00]
• [25] C.A. Gauci: An illustrated collection of the Coats-of-Arms of Maltese Families. PEG, Malta, 1996, p.198