DESIRA

With regards to earliest recordings, a certain Lanardo De Sira, a mariner, fought in the Great Siege of 1565, while a George De Sira settled in Birgu in 1585.

Italian in origin, it most likely refers to someone from Syria or the Greek island of Syros. It may also have connections to the Latin siren, meaning “siren, mermaid”. More tentatively, it may derive from the Calabrian siri, meaning “master, lord”, perhaps referring to a nobleman’s servant.

Continuing the theme of nobility, a crown features prominently on this coat of arms, along with a single mullet of six points symbolising merit and honour.