The Maltese surname Ciantar belongs to a famous noble family who were originally a branch of the famous imperial house of Paleoglogo. The surname is local in origin, being one of those surname derived from the place where a man once lived or held land in this instance the surname would be derived from Gibel Ciantar of Malta where this family would have originated. In medieval times in his region, the Ciantar family were large feudal lords, although they also held jurisdiction over other, smaller territories. The original branch of this family died out in the sixteenth century. One Neygo Ciantar, who was a noble judge in 1455. was a descendant of this original family branch. The title of first Count of Ciantar-Paleoglogo was granted to Ignazio Francisco Wizzini-Paleologo (1674-1744) in 1741 by Pope Clement XI. He was married to Generosa Vell-Abela and their daughter, Maria Ceodora (second Countess). married Count Gio'Antonio Ciantar in 1717. Their son, Glorgio Serafino Ciantar-Paleoglogo, became the third Count and married Elena Moneta-Vella in 1756. Their son, Giovanni Battista (1777-1856), became the fourth Count. Sir Giorgio Serfino-Paleoglogo (1818-87), who was the fifth Count, became the first President of the Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility (1882-87). Giuseppe Ciantar-Paleoglogo was the sixth Count, although he died unmarried and passed the title to Giovanni Chapelle-Paleoglogo (1835-1901) who married Emilia Casaldi in 1866. Their son, Giovanni (1870-1937), became the eighth Count. The ninth Count, Ciantar-Paleoglogo, died on July 23, 1981 and his son, John Constantine, succeeds as tenth.

BLAZON OF ARMS: Per fesse; first gules, an orange tree uprooted vert, at the sinister side a lion or rampant scond azure, three bends sinister or.

CHEST: Upon a wreath argent and azure, an orange tree proper, supporded at sinister by a lion rampant or.

MOCCO: Ingenio et prudentia By genius and pruddenence.

ORIGIN: MALTA.

Acknowledgement: The Historical Research Center: Family Name History.

The Family Ciantar of Zebbug late descendants
of their Noble Ancestors of Paleologos and those of Spain.

The Family Ciantar of Bahar ic-Caghaq late descendants
of their Noble Ancestors of Paleologos and those of Spain.

The Family Ciantar of St.Julians late descendants
of their Noble Ancestors of Paleologos and those of Spain.

The Family Ciantar of Zejtun late descendants
of their Noble Ancestors of Paleologos and those of Spain.

The Carmelitine Church at Fawwara which now belongs to the Confraternity of Our Lady of Charity first belonged as a Jus Patrionatus of Glorma Ciantar of the Ciantar Family. It was built in the year 1616 but in 1669 the same Confraternity rebuilt it with the Ciantar family's approval. A house can also be found with it.
Submitted by Steve John Felix Ciantar