COMMENTThe main findings of this study are: - The proportion of surnames on the electoral register as a proportion of the total estimated Gozo population varies considerably in the different localities, from 53 to 80 % (see table 3.4).
- Some surnames are extremely common and found in all localities (Vella, Attard, Camileri, Grech)
- Certain surnames are found in very high frequency in a number of localities, out of proportion to the expected value,.
- Gozitan localities may be divided into 5 categories which share 3 common surnames. This presumably indicates a degree of intermixing occurring in the past between these localities.
- Some villages appear to be unique in that they do not share any surnames to any great extent. Of these the more obvious ones are Fontana and Sannat.
- One surname may constitute up to 17% of the population in a locality, but there is considerable variation between localities (7 - 17%). Half of the population of some localities is covered by 6 surnames.
- Analysis of isonomy reveals that some localities have a higher values than expected. There is also an inverse correlation between population size and isonomy values (alpha) as well as X value.
- Some villages appear to be unique in that they do not share any surnames to any great extent. Of these the more obvious ones are Fontana, Sannat..
- It is quite plausible that a surname arises in one locality (founder effect) and spreads from there to various other areas in a radial fashion.. One tentative and highly speculative explanation is as follows:
- Portelli and Vella arose in Nadur and spread to Qala. From there they moved to Gharb
- Buttigieg probably started in Qala and migrated to Nadur. From thence, these 2 surnames moved to Gh'Sielem.
- Vella and Camilleri link up Nadur with Rabat and thence to Zebbug
- Vella and Xerri link up Qala with Xewkija
Further evidence of such migration would be required to confirm this suggestion. References:Barrai I et al: 1992: Microevolution in Ferrara: isonomy 1890-1990. Annals of Human Biology, 19, 317-385. Barrai I. et al. Isonomy and the genetic structure of Switzerland 1. The distribution of surnames. Annals of Human Biology. 23, p 431-455, 1966 Rodriguez-Larralde, A. 1993: Genetic distance estimated through surname frequencies of 37 countries from the State of Lara, Venezualea. Journal of Biosocial Science, 25, 101-110. Yasuda N. & Furusho, T. 1971. Random and nonrandom inbreeding revealed from isonomy study. I. Small cities in Japan. American Journal of Human Genetics, 23, 303-316.
   
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