Bava

The Noble Family of Bava,
who held the fief of Deyr el Bniet which reverted to the crown after the death of Michele Bava (pre-1350) whose daughter Sophia Bava was married to Chicco Gatto who received the same fief in 1350.
This family is listed as a noble family in “Descrittione di Malta” (1647).
Last update; 12-11-2025.
 
“Fu’ gia in questa famiglia il feudo di Deyr el Bniet ch’ hoggi si trova in quella degl’ Inguanez, posciache pervenuto in Michele Bava Maltese, per la di lui morte, e mancanza d’eredi devoluto alla regia Corte; dal Re’ Ludovico fu’ concesso a’ Chicco, o’ Francesco Gatto Castellano allora di Malta l’anno mille tre cento cinquanta, come si cava dal privilegio originali, ch’ habbiamo veduto in poter del Barone Inguanez. Che il predetto Michele sia stato Maltese, leggiamo in una scrittra mandataci da Palermo feudum Deyr el Bniet, pro quondam Michaelum Bava Melivetanum antiquitus possidebatur, post cuius, haerumq; suorum obitem ad regiae Curia manus pervenit” (From Abela’s “Della Descrittione di Malta del Commendatore Abela” (1647))
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Note: Not all descendants are listed.

THE GENEALOGY OF THE BAVA FAMILY:-

Michele Bava, (died 1349),  (“Fu’ gia in questa famiglia il feudo di Deyr el Bniet ch’ hoggi si trova in quella degl’ Inguanez, posciache pervenuto in Michele Bava Maltese, per la di lui morte, e mancanza d’eredi devoluto alla regia Corte”),  married to Sibylla d’Aragona, and has issue 

1. Milite Enrico Bava, (d. c.1340), descendants in Sicily.
2. Sophie Bava, married Cicco Gatto, Ist Baron di Djar-il-Bniet.(“dal Re’ Ludovico fu’ concesso a’ Chicco, o’ Francesco Gatto Castellano allora di Malta l’anno mille tre cento cinquanta, come si cava dal privilegio originali, ch’ habbiamo veduto in poter del Barone Inguanez”).
3. (illegitimate) Michele Bava, (c.1360), repeatedly tried to claim the fiefdom of his father, married Pina dei Baroni Guantis, with issue. 
3.1. Raimondo Bava, (c.1390)., married to Antonia de Vaccaro, with issue. 
3.1.1. Fra. Michele Bava. (c.1425), Priest, dunm. 
3.1.2. Michele Bava, married to Perna de Vassallo, with issue. 
3.1.2.1. Lanza Bava, (c.1450), married to Leonora Caldes, with issue. 
3.1.2.1.1. Antonio Bava, (c.1480), married to Persia Caldes, with issue. 
3.1.2.1.1.1. Lanza Bava, (c.1510), married to Chiara de Baldes, with issue. 
3.1.2.1.1.1.1. Pietro Bava, (c. 1540)., married Isabella Axac, with issue. 
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Francesca Fava, married 1556 to Vincenzo Moscati. 
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2. Giovanni Fava, married to Clara d’Amodeo, with issue. 
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.1. Caterina Fava, married to Niccolo de Manuele.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.2. Cristoforo Fava, married to Aloisea Bellia, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.2.1. Francesca Fava, married 1627 to Simone Apap.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.3. Domenico Fava, married 1615 Birkirkara to Speranza Micallef, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.3.1. Domenico Fava, married 1635 Gharghur to Benedetta Chetcuti, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.3.1.1. Paoluccio Fava, married 1651 Gharghur to Maddalena Xiberras, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.3.1.1.1. Maria Fava, married 1682 Gharghur to Leonardo Borg.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.3.2. Giorgio Fava, married 1655 Gharghur to Angelica Tonna, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.3.2.1. Gio Maria Fava, married 1698 Naxxar to Lorenza Galea, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.3.2.1.1. Maria Fava, married 1736 Naxxar to Mro Pietro Paolo Camilleri.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.3.2.1.2. Giorgio Fava, married 1741 Gharghur to Grazia Bonanno, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.3.2.1.2.1. Maria Fava, married 1779 Gharghur to Salvatore Bonnici.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.3.2.1.2.2. Clerico Giovanni Fava, married 1774 Naxxar to Scolastica Celesta Pace, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.3.2.1.2.2.1. Anna Fava, married 1790 Gharghur to Bartolomeo Muscat.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.3.2.1.2.2.2. Concetta Fava, married 1791 Gharghur to Clemenzo Aquilina.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.4. Padron Vincenzo Fava, married to Agata N, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.4.1. Margherita Fava, married 1595 Senglea to Gio Giacomo Rispolo, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.4.1.1. Veronica Rispolo, married 1622 Senglea to Josephe Daniel of France, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.4.1.1.1. Jean Daniel sives Danier, married 1670 Senglea to Teresa Morinello Santorino, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.4.1.1.1.1. Silvestra Danier, married 1688 Vittoriosa to Francesco Garofalo.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.4.2. Gio Maria Fava, married 1604 Vittoriosa to Gioannella Bava, (See on this page), with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.4.2.1. Paolica Fava, married 1628 Matrice Gozo to Mariano Spiteri.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.3. Giacoba Fava, married to Milite Andrea Bonello.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.4. Baldassare Fava, (d. 1539), dunm.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.5. Giovanna Fava, married to Bernardo Burlo.
3.1.2.1.1.1.1.6. Francesca Angelica Fava, married 1578 Vittoriosa to Gio Battista Burlo.
3.1.2.1.1.1.2. Antonio Bava. 
3.1.2.1.1.1.3. Carlo Bava. 
3.1.2.1.1.1.4. Don Matteo Bava, (d. 1565), dunm.
3.1.2.1.1.2. Salvo Bava. 
3.1.2.1.1.3. Andrea Bava, married to Agnese Burlo, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1. Alberto Bava, married to Enziona Abela, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.1. Don Andrea Bava, (d. 1584), Canon, dunm.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2. Gregorio Bava, married to Angela Bellia, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.1. Caterina Fava, married to Matteo Bonici.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.2. Benedetto Fava, married to Betta Ciappara, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.2.1. Isabella Fava, married 1635 Valletta to Notary Lorenzo Grima.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.2.2. Agnese Fava, married 1641 Valletta to Giusto Grima.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.2.3. Imperia Fava, married to Pasquale Mifsud.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.2.4. Giulia Fava, married 1621 Valletta to Antonio Rizzone, married (2) 1623 Valletta to Blasco Camilleri, married (3) 1630 Valletta to Mro Francesco Aldana de Vagnolis, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.2.4.1. (Third marriage) Domenica Aldana, married 1669 Valletta to Gio Battista Leone, (s/o Antonio Leone and Isabella, former wife of Onorato de Bruti, married 1635 Vittoriosa), with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.2.4.1.1. Teresa Leone, married 1696 Valletta to Chco Tomaso Garroni.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.2.4.2. Isabella Aldana, married 1670 Valletta to Nicola Falzon.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.2.4.3. Rev Don Pietro Aldana de Vagnolis.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.3. Notary Leonardo Fava, married to Isabella Apap, with issue.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.3.1. Gio Batta Fava, (d. 1677), married to Isabella Apap.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.4. Franca Bava, married to Simon Apap.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.5. Dr Paolo Bava JUD.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.2.6. Gioannella Bava, married 1604 Vittoriosa to Gio Maria Fava, (See above).
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.3. Don Leonardo Bava, (d. 1584), dunm.
3.1.2.1.1.3.1.4. Don Eufrofio Bava, (d. 1596), dunm.
3.1.2.1.1.3.2. Persia Mariola Bava, married (c. 1540) to Blasio Bellia.
3.1.2.1.1.3.3. Grazia Bava, married 1539 (Notary Giorgio Buttigieg) to Matteo Prat.
3.1.2.1.1.4. Caterina Fava, married 1526 Vittoriosa to Pietro Abela.
3.1.2.1.1.5. Peruna Bava, married 1520 to Domenico Moscati.
3.1.2.1.2. Maria Bava, married (c. 1460) to Agostino Chilona. 
3.1.2.1.3. Pietro Bava, married 1475 to Francesca la Malina, de Jure 4th Signorina di Maralfi in the Kingdom of Naples, with issue.
3.1.2.1.3.1. Bartolomea Bava sives Fava, de Jure 5th Signorina di Maralfi in the Kingdom of Naples, married 1510 (Notary Consalvo Cansciur) to Mro Francesco Randon, with issue.
3.1.2.1.3.1.1. Angela Randon, de Jure 6th Signorina di Maralfi in the Kingdom of Naples, married 1546 (Notary Nicola de Agatiis) to Agostino Carceppo, with issue.
3.1.2.1.3.1.1.1. Gio Paolo Carceppo, de Jure 7th Signore di Maralfi in the Kingdom of Naples, married 1579 (Notary Ferdinando Ciappara) to Lauria Xiberras, with issue.
3.1.2.1.3.1.1.1.1. Ambrosio Agostino Carceppo, de Jure 8th Signore di Maralfi in the Kingdom of Naples, married 1613 Matrice Gozo to Isabella Camilleri, with issue.
3.1.2.1.3.1.1.1.1.1. Grazia Carceppo, de Jure 9th Signorina di Maralfi in the Kingdom of Naples, married 1632 Matrice Gozo to Nobile Nicolo Vassallo.
3.1.2.1.3.1.1.1.1.2. Pietro Carceppo, married 1644 Matrice Gozo to Maria Refalo.
3.1.2.1.3.1.1.1.1.3. Elena Carceppo, married 1640 Vittoriosa to Giacomo Buttigieg.
3.1.2.1.3.1.1.1.1.4. Margerita Carceppo, mistress to Cavalier Gregorio de Caetani.
3.1.2.1.3.1.1.1.2. Clemenza Carceppo, married 1609 Matrice Gozo to Domenico Gauci.
3.1.2.1.3.1.1.1.3. Angelica Carceppo, married 1612 Vittoriosa to Lorenzo Zahra, with issue.
3.1.2.1.3.1.1.1.3.1. Carlo Zahra, married 1659 Senglea to Maruzza Grima.
3.1.2.1.3.1.1.1.3.2. Lucia Zahra, married 1638 Cospicua to Francesco Barbara.
3.1.2.1.3.1.1.2. Agostina Carceppo, married 1564 Matrice Gozo to Giuseppe Gatt.
3.1.2.1.3.1.2. Giovanni Randon, married 1541 (Notary Giorgio Buttigieg) to Giovanna Cutajar d’Avola, with issue.
3.1.2.1.3.2. Giovanna Bava, married to Signore Nicola Pusino, with issue.
3.1.2.1.3.2.1. Paola Pusino, married 1545 (Notary Brandino Caxaro) to Mro Andrea Greco, with issue.
3.1.2.1.3.2.1.1. Mro Vincenzo Greco, married 1586 Birkirkara to Domenica Calauris, with issue.
3.1.2.1.3.2.1.1.1. Aloisio Greco, married 1619 Zejtun to Vennera Felici, with issue.
3.1.2.1.3.2.1.1.1.1. Dioniso Greco, married 1655 Zabbar to Vennera Felici, with issue.

3.1.2.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1. Dionisio Grech, married 1655 Zabbar to Speranza Rosso, with issue.

3.1.2.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Lorenzo Grech, married 1682 Zabbar to Maria Mongibello, with issue.

3.1.2.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Speranza Grech, married 1707 Valletta to Giuseppe Aquilina, with issue.

3.1.2.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Michele Aquilina, married 1738 Cospicua to Anna Maria Cauchi, with issue.

3.2. Ciccu Bava, (c. 1390), married to Ilagia Caldes, with issue. 
3.2.1. Stephane Bava. (c.1415).
3.2.2. Antonia Bava. (c.1415), married to Giuliano (Gileyo) Mamo, (c 1350). 
4. (illegitimate) Antonella Bava., married to Milite Giacomo de Vaccaro of Catania, Signore of several fiefs in Catania, Sicily, with issue.
4.1. Nobile Pino de Vaccaro, Pino was granted the fief of Culeja on the 20-02-1397 in the following terms:- Regalis excellentia debitum exigit, Ut subiectorum merita aeque dignis premiis recompenset, allorium maxime, quorum grata fidelitate, obsequra in cospectu regio digno supplicationem Pini Vaccaro de Civitate Meliveti familiaris, & fidelis nostri, Maeistatibus nostris inde factam, attendentes fidem pura, & devotionem sinceram, quas dictus Pinus erga excellentias nostras gesit, & gerit, grata quoq; & accepta servitia, per eundem Pinum Celsitudinibus nostris devote collate, praesertim in reducendo nouiter ad nostrae dominium Maiestatis dictam Civitatem Meliveti, detentam tunc & existentem sub dominio quondam Guillelmi Raimundi di Montecateno, etc, attendentes, notissima damna, exilu, et iacturas, qua dictus Pinus pro observantia nostrae fidei et perpessus, dictam Civitatate eius Patriam, cum suis amplis facultatibus in eadem existentibus, relinquedo, eleerit potius sub nostra fidelitate exul degree, quam ipsius Artalis detestando facinori consentire, etc. This property fief of Culeja was later to be converted into the right to receive an annual payment of 12 oncie payable from the Secrezia of Malta equivalent to the fruits of the fief. Abela notes that as at 1647 the income of Culeja rendered 1100 Scudi.  married Nobile Natalia d’Amedeo., with issue.
4.1.1. Nobile Angelo de Vaccaro, 2nd holder of the fief of Culeja (Invested 21 August 1408, Catania, Lib. Cancellis 350). [ Giurato in 1405 and 1420], married to Nobile Loretta Gatto., married with issue.
4.1.1.1. Nobile Giacomo de Vaccaro, (not invested), married to Nobile Maria Vassallo, with issue.
4.1.1.1.1. Nobile Angelo de Vaccaro, 3rd holder of the fief of Culeja.,  invested 09-06-1459 (Ref. Syracuse Lib. Canc. f. 345), married to Nobile Sybilla Inguanez., with issue.
4.1.1.1.1.1. Nobile Pietro de Vaccaro, 4th holder of the fief of Culeja (succeeded Angelo: see Abela page 538), married to Donna Francesca Zammit, with issue.
4.1.1.1.1.1.1. Nobile Leonardo de Vaccaro, 5th Baron di Culeja, married to Nobile Caterina de Vaccaro-Allegritto (See Below), with issue.
4.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Nobile Pietro de Vaccaro, 6th Baron di Culeja, dunm. 1564.
4.1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Nobile Giacomo de Vaccaro, (d. 1530), Baroncino di Culeja, married 1511 to Nobile Paola Rosso, with issue.
4.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Nobile Paola de Vaccaro, (d. 1564), Baroncina di Culeja, married 1527 to Giovanni de Bono of Attard, with issue.
4.1.1.1.1.1.1.3. Nobile Margherita de Vaccaro, married 1503 to Giacomo Testaferrata, with issue.
4.1.1.1.1.1.2. Nobile Caterina de Vaccaro, Lady of Mugiarro, married 1501 to Antonio Falsone, with issue.
4.1.1.1.1.1.3. Nobile Ventura de Vaccaro, married 1486 to Mariano Perrera.
4.1.1.1.1.1.4. Nobile Margherita de Vaccaro, married Antonio Inguanez, 3rd Baron di Ghariexem e Tabia, with issue.
4.1.1.1.1.2. Nobile Agata de Vaccaro, married to Milite Giorgio Caldes.
4.1.1.1.2. Nobile Paolo de Vaccaro, married 1481 to Agnese de Bordino, with issue.
4.1.1.1.2.1. Nobile Imperia de Vaccaro, married Francesco Gatto Inguanez, 4th Baron of Hemsija, with issue.
4.1.1.2. Nobile Agnese de Vaccaro, married Bertolo de Bordino, with issue.
4.1.2. Nobile Maria de Vaccaro., married Inigo de Vaccaro, 1st Barone de Benwarred, (See below).
4.2. Miles Inigo de Vaccaro, 1st holder of the fief of Benuarrat, (Cr:1397) [ Ingo is noted as Miles de Civitate Meliveti and with the title of Regio Consigliere, and he was appointed in 1403 by King Martin Capitano di Malta for 5 years, succeeding Francesco Giorgio di S. Colomba from whom descend the Counts of Asnello ] Ingo was granted the fief of Benuarrat on the 24-02-1397 in the following terms:- Animentur ad obsequendu serventinus corda fideliu subiectoru, cum eorum merita, regalis munificeentia, aque dignis premiis compensate. Per praesens igitur privilegiu notu sit, etc. quod ad humilem supplicatione per delictum Consiliarium, familiarem, & fidelem nostru Ingum Vaccaro militem de Civitate Meliveti Maestatibus nostris inde factam attendentes fidem puram, & devotionem sinceram, quas dictus Ingus erga Excellentias nostra, gessit, & gerit, grata quoq, & accepta servitia per dictu Ingum Celsitudinibus nostris devote collate, praseertim nouiter in reductione dicta Civitatis, & Insula Meliveti ad nostra dominiu Maiestatis, subiogo, et dominio quonda Guillelmi de Montecateno in nepharia, & c . tunc existents, & detentas; attendentes, nec minus damna, exilium & iacturas, qua dictus Ingus pro alservantia nostra fidei est perpessus, dictam eius patriam dudum per Artalem de Alagona nostrum nepharium, & c violenta tirannide occupatam, cum suis amplis facultatibus in ea existetibus relinquendo, eligens potius sub fidelitatate nostra exul degree, quam sub ipsius Artalis infesto dominio permanere, & This property fief of Benuarrat was later to be converted into the right to receive an annual payment of 12 oncie payable from the Secrezia of Malta equivalent to the fruits of the fief. Abela notes that as at 1647 the income of Benuarrat rendered 800 Scudi., (Reference: Documentary Sources of Maltese History – Part II – Documents in the State Archives Palermo; No 1. Cancelleria Regia 1259 -1400: edited by Stanley Fiorini, Malta University Press 1999, page 254, 256-258), married Maria de Vaccaro (Neice – see above)., with issue.
4.2.1. Nobile Giovanni de Vaccaro, (received the fee of 12 oncie , see Abela p. 539), [Giurato 1415, 1419 and 1434; Ambassador of the Universita 1434] married Noble Constance Vassallo, with issue.
4.2.1.1. Nobile Lanza de Vaccaro, died 1480., 3rd holder of fief of Benuarrat, now a monetary fief (Invested 9 July 1462), [Giurato 1474], married Giacomia Allegritto, with issue.
4.2.1.1.1. Nobile Giovanni de Vaccaro, 4th holder of the fief of Benuarrat, now a monetary fief (Invested 2 June 1480, Lib. Cancillis, f. 364), married with issue.
4.2.1.1.1.1. Nobile Lanza de Vaccaro, ob.inf.
4.2.1.1.2. Nobile Francesca de Vaccaro, 5th holder of the fief Benuarat (Invested 16 January 1484) , married Leonardo de Bordino (succeeded to the fief iure uxoris), with issue.
4.2.1.1.3. Nobile Isabella de Vaccaro, married Gabriele de Monbron, (Created Baron, 1514), (d. 1536), (invested on the 18 August 1514 in the monetary grant held in fief of 12 oncie; invested again 11 January 1517)., with issue.
4.2.1.1.3.1. Pietro de Monbron, “Cherico”, 2nd Barone de Monbron, (d. 1539), dunm.
4.2.1.1.3.2. Gaspare de Monbron, 3rd and last Barone de Monbron, (d. 1555),  dunm.
4.2.1.1.3.3. Agnese de Monbron, married to Dr Angelo d’Avello MD, with issue
4.2.1.1.3.3.1. Imperia d’Avello, married to Antonio Xiberras, (Xeberras and his wife received the monetary grant held in fief of 12 oncie; invested 22 January 1519, Barone Xeberras).
4.2.1.1.3.3.2. Isabella d’Avello, married to James Antonio d’Armenia, 2nd Baron di Baccari, Baron di Benuwarred.
4.2.1.1.4. Nobile Perna de Vaccaro, dunm.
4.2.1.1.5. Nobile Caterina de Vaccaro, married to Leonardo de Vaccaro. (See Above). 
4.2.1.2. Nobile Paola de Vaccaro., married Guglielmo de Bandino.
4.2.2. Nobile Elvira de Vaccaro., married Tomaso di Calafato.
4.2.3. Nobile Antonia de Vaccaro., married Raimondo de Bava, (See above).
4.2.4. Nobile Giacoma de Vaccaro, married Marco de Vassallo.
4.3. Nobile Milite Martino de Vaccaro., Signore of several fiefs in Catania., married Fatella d’Amedeo., with issue.
4.3.1. Nobile Giacomo de Vaccaro., Signore of several fiefs in Catania., married Mencia de Manuele., with issue.
4.3.1.1. Nobile Enrico de Vaccaro., Signore of Several Fiefs in Catania. Created Barone in Sicily. The Sicilian Vaccaros are descendants from here.
5. (illegitimate) Sybilla Bava, married to Nobile Antonio Chiumi.
 
 
* Footnotes:
 
 
SOURCES:-
 
  1. MELITENSIA BOOK CLUB, Issue 1, Abela Commendatore Fra Gian. Francesco, Della Descrittione di Malta isola nel mare siciliano con le sue antichita’, ed altre notizie. Libr Quattro Facsimile edition. Malta, 1984.
  2. Adami collection, Vol 72.
  3. www.maltagenealogy.com