After a niche was erected, people began to settle, a new village started to form and expanded over the years.

According to 1419 records of the Standing Army (id-Dejma), between eighty and ninety people were considered as village residents.

The job occupations of the period were based on primary economic functions, mainly rearing animals and agriculture.

Some historians believe that the name derived from the pure (Maltese: safi) air of the area, others insist it is due to its similarity to the City of Safi in Morocco, and others say the name came about since none of the residents were contaminated during an epidemic infection that hit vast zones in Malta.

The coat-of-arms, a horizontal light-blue stripe on a silver background, and the motto, Sine Macula, emphasize the meaning of the village.

In 1575 when Monsignor Pietro Dusina visited Ħal Safi, the residents put their wish forward, but nothing came out of it.

In 1598, a delegation of twelve men from Ħal Safi paid a visit to Bishop Gargallo.

According to the agreement, Ħal Safi residents had to pay the Parish Priest an annual sum of money, precisely on the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul.

In 1840, a statue of St. Paul, sculptured in wood by Xandru Farrugia of Zejtun, was introduced and paraded during the procession.

Pilgrimages, sermons, choir participation, band services and fireworks were organised to commemorate each anniversary.

From 1960 onwards, mainly due to January’s bad weather, this feast was diverted to the last Sunday of August .

On the initiative of Saint Paul’s Club, two band marches were added to the programme - one on Friday evenings and another on Sunday mornings.

Likewise, decorations, such as lights and banners, in preparation for this religious feast were also increased especially in several roads and in the main square.

In the past, the most common job occupied by Ħal Safi residents was in the agriculture sector.

Lately, the trend has changed and the number of University qualified people is always increasing earning high-profile jobs such as doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants and management personnel.

In fact, from latest statistics, the population of Ħal Safi has reached one thousand and eight hundred persons.

Passing through Ħal Safi one can remark the lack of social activity where the empty tranquil roads are often associated to a Gozitan village.