Wikipedia
Cassar is a Maltese surname.
According to Maltese linguist Dr. Mario Cassar, the surname is of Arabic origin, as a result of the Muslim period of Malta.
There are various other proposed origins of the surname.
It may be traced back to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, incorporating the island of Sicily itself, the area around Naples, and the southern part of the Italian peninsula. The surname Cassar may have derived from the given name "Cesare," and further back from the Roman family name "Caesar." In Classical antiquity, the name "Caesar" was associated by folk etymology with the Latin word "caesaries" (meaning head of hair). The Maltese Cassar coat of arms has the Latin word "SPES" (meaning "hope") inscribed on it.
On the other hand, it may derive from a fairly common surname in Italy and Sicily: Cassara, or Cassarino, possibly from a nickname "cassaio" meaning "producer of cases". However these surnames may also be derived from the given name "Cesare" or "Caesar".
The most important representatives of the family are the Cassar Desain, marchese de Sain in Malta and the Cassar Torregiani, one of the richest family in the 19th century in Malta.
Cassar may refer to:
- Cassar, a Maltese surname
People with the surname Cassar:
- Antoine Cassar, Maltese poet and translator
- Antonio Cassar-Torreggiani
- Eleanor Cassar, Maltese singer
- Georgina Cassar, Gibraltarian rhythmic gymnast
- Girolamo Cassar, Maltese architect and military engineer
- Jeff Cassar, American soccer goalkeeper
- Joe Cassar, Maltese politician
- Jon Cassar, Maltese-Canadian television director and producer
- Matthew Cassar, Australian cricketer
- Troy Cassar-Daley, country musician