Family names history of Shivalli Brahmin Community
Shivalli brahmins are those Brahmins who settled in Southern Tulunadu, after migrating from northern Ahichchatra. They are called so because they had settled first at Shivalli – a village near Udupi. According the history of Kadambas, it is found that Mayuravarma, the founder of the Kadamba dynasty had brought these Brahmins from Ahichchatra. But according to another belief, it is believed that Parashurama, himself had invited them to Tulunadu. Any how, the regional relationship between Shivalli Brahmins and those 32 villages can not be negated.
The family houses of Shivalli Brahmins had a direct bearing on these 32 villages. Family names of shivalli Brahmins itself is a fantastic story. The shivalli Brahmins community which lived in a compact geographical area measuring 100 k.m. width and 120 k.m. length, had more than 500 family names to it’s credit – is nothing but amazing. Perhaps, a small community like this may not have such a diversified order of family houses in the whole world. Most of the family names have direct relationship with their respective names of their geographical location.
Many families have been lost over the past ages. Still their name has been registered in the documentary sources.
Classification of family names :
The logic behind naming a particular family can be attributed to the following factors.
a) Names derived from a particular place or village :
Naming a family on the basis of a particular place or village was it practice during 7th century. For eg. Pulakeshi II, in one of his deedletters had recorded, “vasistaya gotraya taittiriyaaya tagaradivasine chaturveda yombarakheda kulanamadeyaya jyeshta sharmane .. .. ..”. Here we can see that the family name has been derived from the name of a place. (Ep. Indica,Vol. iv page 73 , 74) Hence it was a common practice to identify/ address a person according to on place to which he belonged.
For e.g. Alevuraya, Putturaya, Baipadittaya etc.
Identifying the relatives residing at distant places can be seen under the same method now a days also. E.g. the Madras uncle, Bangalore Aunty, etc.
Alevuraya – [Hails from Alevur]
Iruvamturaya – [Hails from Iruvamtur]
Kubanuraya – [Hails from Kubanur]
Nalluraya – [Hails from Nallur]
Madavuruttaya – [Hails from Madavuru]
Mayyuruttaya – [Hails from Mayyuru]
Paturaya – [Hails from Patur]
Shibaruttaya – [Hails from Shiruru] etc.
b) Family names are attached on the basis of Direction and layout :
Under this method the direction and layout of the residence of the dweller is taken as identification for this family.
E.g.
Tenkillaya [Tenku = Southern , Illaya = has house i.e. who has house at the southern side.]
Paddillaya [Padu = Eastern, Illaya = has house i.e. who has house at the eastern side.]
Sittillaya [Sitt = down, Illaya = has house i.e. who has house at the down layers.]
Mittillaya [Mitt = upper, Illaya = has house i.e. who has house at the upper layers.]
Kedilaya [Kedu = pond Illaya = has house i.e. who has house at the water tank side.]
Kukkillaya [Who has house at mountain] Etc.
c) Family names derived from the features of the landscape or uniqueness of the place :
Vailaya [one who hails from plain land]
Polnaya [One who hails from sandy land]
Majilaya [One who hails from less irrigated land]
Kudurettaya [One who hails from island]
Makkittaya [One who hails from barren land]
d) Family names derived from plants and trees :
E.g
Nellittaya [One who dwells near tamarind tree]
Punchittaya
Anettaya
Saralaya
e) Family names derived from Profession :
Adiga [Priest]
Poojettaya [Priest]
Acharya [Teacher]
f)Others :
Some family names cannot be classified on the basis of aforesaid methods. They seem rather special
E.g :
Netrattaya - [Leader, Netara]
Arimettaya - [Knowledgeable person]
Oppantaya - [Methodist]
October 5th, 2008 at %I:%M %p
ACHAR is my surname.
Acharya is listed, but Achar is not.
December 27th, 2008 at %I:%M %p
In Paddillaya it is claimed that “Padu” is east. Actually “Padu” is not east, but west. “Moodu” is east. Pl. correct.
My family name is “Kadamballitthaya”. Can you tell me how it has come?
February 25th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
Can you specify the meaning of Ballakur. How is it derived?
March 25th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
Is the Surname RAO comes in Shivalli brahmin
April 10th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
Very interesting! I’m no expert. But I would think, the article explains, how it came about centuries ago. I’m sure many family names have transformed/changed since then. Achar is just a short form of Acharya. In modern days, once they enter official records, they continue that way!
As far as “RAO” is considered, it might be a short form of “Rayaru” (meaning “yajamana”/owner). This happened with my grand father and father-in-law. When they went out of Udupi on hotel business, they changed their surnames to RAO.
April 17th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
My Surname is “Naduvanthillaya” , can you tell how it came from & have any one heard about this surname. I am not seen any or many people with the same surname. In my village, we don’t have any other family with this surname other than our family..
August 11th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
My surname is “Kannaraya”, can i know how it came…Is it the name for Rayaru for Kannur. any other details can i get..?
September 15th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
Article is quite interesting. I was given to understand from my father that there are 108 sir names are existing, today. Is there any record of Shivalli histroy & details available?
On the Lighter side – “Kannaraya” – derived from a body part??
December 22nd, 2009 at %I:%M %p
My family name is Aithal”. Can you tell me how it has come?
January 30th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
Adiga is not a original Sirname of Thoulava Brahmins. I am Adiga myself and I know it for sure.
My family (Shivalli Smarthas) were originally “Sagrittaya” (from Sagri village near Udupi). Later since we were forced to move out of this place to north (towards Kundapur) during Madhvaism’s spread. Many such originally Shivalli brahmins (like present Kasaravalli family, Sagara Udupa families etc) were made to migrate out of Tulu region since they all wanted to retain smarthaism.
When moved to Kannada belt, we were then called as Udupa (those who came from Udupi).
Adiga is the sirname used to address the temple priests in Kannada belt of Coastal Karnataka. Even Adigal is being used in Tamilnadu to address this class of people.
March 9th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
Can someone please specify the meaning of “Kalkura”..?????
March 21st, 2010 at %I:%M %p
We are shivalli Tulu Brahmin family coming from Badanidiyoor Udupi. My forefather was from Inna-Mundkoor , Taluka Karkala doing pooja in Shiva temple .
My father Srinivas Bhat Okade came to Hubli and started a resturant and being in northern Karnataka we were asked to give a surname. Okkanaya (one eye) shiva workshippers ultimately became OKADE surname.
April 14th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
this article on the family name history is just amazing…it gave a detailed information about the history behind the derivation of family names…
But it dint mention about my family name of Iravathaya…i m keen to know how that family name came…if u could provide the history i would be very pleased…
July 10th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
My family surname is Ballakkuraya. Can you tell me how this has originated?
July 21st, 2010 at %I:%M %p
I am from the village called Arasinamakki of Belthangady taluk near Dharmastala. I came to know of this website recently. Edde Avadu (Good Luck)
Regards