The feudal system was first established in Malta by the Kingdom of Sicily,[1] which conquered the island between 1090 and 1091.
The Knights and the British both undertook to maintain the rights and privileges of the Maltese.
[2] In the later nineteenth century the British government gave official recognition to several noble titles that had been created by the Grand Masters of the Knights of Malta and other fontes honorum.
Some nobles were also styled as "Illustrissimo", which was however, disputed by Grand Master Vilhena.
In the Italian fashion, their heirs-apparent were styled marchesino, contino or baroncino, as appropriate.