Giovanni Agius (1792-1896): Earliest known Maltese in the San Francisco Bay Area; a fruit peddlar in Oakland, CA for 55 years.

Julian Portelli (1842- ??): The only Maltese in California to be convicted of murder and imprisoned at San Quentin and Folsom prisons 

Sam Vella (1883-1967): Owner of Sam's Anchor Cafe in Tiburon and Boyes Springs Resort

Joseph P Grech (1884-1939): Founder and first president of the Maltese American Social Club


Father Theopilius Cachia, OFM (1891-1959): Pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church for 30 years

Thomas Fennech (1903-1986): Founder and owner of Fenech Furniture on San Bruno Avenue for 55 years

Dr. Paul N. Zammit, PhD, O.P. (1904-1995): A Dominican priest with four Doctorates

Father Benvenute "Benny" Bavero, OFM (1919-2007): While not Maltese, a dedicated servant of the Maltese Community for 30 years as pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church 


Hon. Charles Joseph Vassallo (1921-2009): Honorary Consul General of Malta for 43 years

Joseph Spiteri (1923-2010): Founder and first President of SP-Teri, Inc., a world famous skating shoe company

Dr. Walter Francis Vella, PhD (1924-1981): noted international scholar on the country of Thailand

Francis G. Azzopardi (1927-): Owner of  South City Lumber & Supply in South San Francisco

James Joseph Muscat, Jr (1930-2008): owner of Muscat Grocery stores

Joseph Scerri (1931-): owned the Melita furniture store on San Bruno Avenue in SF.

Max Joseph Vella (1934-2017): Industrial Arts teacher at Mission High School for 30 years


Frank Joseph Falzon (1942-): famous San Francisco Police Dept. Homicide Inspector

Dennis John Sammut (1943-2020): third generation owner of Articocke Joe's Casino

Dr. Eugene James Muscat, EdD (1944-2010): a USF professor of Business

Dr. Charles J Vella, PhD (1944-): the compiler of this Maltese Immigration database and genealogy website; a clinical neuropsychologist, genealogist, and Halloween pumpkin carver

Gary Charles Yates (1946-2010): former Mayor of San Mateo, CA

Mona Vella Nicholas (1947-): First President of Maltese Historical Society; Librarian of Maltese American Social Club; secondary school teacher and department head

Peter J Schembri (1947-): Served in the US Army in an infantry division from 1967 to 1969 in Vietnam. During a battle, he carried an injured soldier off the battlefield, saving his life, for which he was awarded a medal for valor.

George Frank Spiteri (1949-): current President of SP-Teri, Inc., a world famous skating shoe company

Hon. Louis John Vella (1953-): current Consul General of Malta

Dean P. Grech (1960-): Jazz Guitarist, vocalist, composer

Dr. Doreen Marie Grech, PhD (1961): noted Biotech/Pharma business leader

Jeffrey S. Azzopardi (1969-): South San Francisco Chief of Police

Several Noted Maltese Americans in US History:

John Pass (Pace): Maltese-American who, with John Stow, recast the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia in 1753 after it first cracked. The Liberty Bell is inscribed with their names, "Pass and Stow"

Michael Cassar (1836-1898): served in Union Navy during the Civil War

Orlando Emanuel Caruana (1844-1917): was a Maltese-American soldier who fought in the American Civil War in the Union Army; the only Maltese to win the Medal of Honor in Civil War; awarded in 1890

Joseph Calleja (1897-1975): was a Maltese-American actor and singer on the stage and in films, radio and television.

Brittany Spears (1981-): noted American singer, songwriter, and dancer; maternal great-great-grandfather was Maltese, a Portelli

Pete Buttigieg (1982-): American politician; former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, 2020 presidential candidate, US Secretary of Transportation