Mallia

Mallia is a surname of Maltese origin that is widely found among people of Maltese heritage both in Malta and in Maltese communities abroad. The exact etymology is not definitively established; scholars have proposed that it may be toponymic—derived from a place name in the central Mediterranean—or patronymic, reflecting medieval naming practices in the region. The standard Maltese spelling is Mallia, and the name appears in historical civil and church records dating back to early modern periods.

In terms of distribution, Mallia is common in Malta and has a notable presence among Maltese diaspora populations in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, the United States, and other countries with Mediterranean immigrant communities. Variants and transliterations may occur in diaspora settings due to anglicization or local linguistic influences, but Mallia remains the common form in Maltese contexts.

As a surname, Mallia is associated with a range of professional fields. Bearers have contributed to politics, education, the arts, sports, and business, reflecting the broad integration of Maltese families into their respective societies. There are no universally recognized uses of Mallia as a widely referenced place name or fictional character in major reference works, rendering its primary association as a family name in contemporary reference.