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 09:25:22
ACHAR is my surname.
Acharya is listed, but Achar is not.
December 27th, 2008 at 04:39:13
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 12:07:29
Can you specify the meaning of Ballakur. How is it derived?
March 25th, 2009 at 03:32:34
Is the Surname RAO comes in Shivalli brahmin
April 10th, 2009 at 04:54:59
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 14:01:49
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 17:36:31
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 15:14:10
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 16:43:13
My family name is Aithal”. Can you tell me how it has come?
January 30th, 2010 at 13:02:03
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 19:17:00
Can someone please specify the meaning of “Kalkura”..?????
March 21st, 2010 at 17:05:20
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 17:41:17
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 16:14:36
My family surname is Ballakkuraya. Can you tell me how this has originated?
July 21st, 2010 at 08:14:52
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
February 12th, 2011 at 22:29:59
may i know the surname how ‘baipadithaya’ arrived?
March 9th, 2011 at 11:11:40
definately just about caught my room on fire! and now the incense stick is burning from both ends lmfao.
March 13th, 2011 at 03:14:16
Always wondered where the name “Tati” came from.
June 11th, 2011 at 14:07:11
can u please tell about noorittaya and kekunnaya…
June 21st, 2011 at 12:15:28
I am poojettaya-shivally brahmin doing free service for sending horoscopes to bride and bridegroom only for tulu speaking shivally brahmin at Suchindrum in the name of Santha
Madhwa Tulu Vivaha Kendra, Rishikesh,Dr.No.11/56, Theppakulam Street,Suchindrum
Pin.629704 (Mob.No.9894664146).for Linguistic Minorities, for Development of Tulu Language
Speak in Tulu Language always and doing free service only,
June 21st, 2011 at 12:29:44
I am poojettaya-shivalli brahmin-Katapadi near Udupi doing free service at Suchindrum for
shivally brahmins for sending of horoscopes to bride and bridegroom in the name of Santha
Madhwa Tulu Vivaha Kendra, Rishikesh”,Dr.No.11/56-Theppakulam Street,Suchindrum-Pin.
629704-for who is Lingistic Minorities-for Development of Tulu Language and for speaking of
Tulu Language always. (Mob.9894664146)Kanyakumari District.
June 21st, 2011 at 13:38:57
My grandfather an ADIGA (Priest) came with family to Suchindrum, Kanyakumari District in
Tamilnadu for Temple Priest work before 150 years. Actually we are from Katapadi near
Udupi. We are being called as “Potty” instead of Adiga . Now I am not working as Priest in the temple. but retired as a Government Servant. However you people are doing very good
work. Best Wishes.
July 5th, 2011 at 20:45:45
As per our elders, the surname Nalluraya is derived from Nelloor, indicating migration from Nellore, AP and later it is twisted as NALLURaya. I am not very sure of any place name by Nallur as per your version.
November 22nd, 2011 at 16:14:16
Our kula is shibarooraya. Can u please find the history of this kula in south karnataka
Raghunatha Rao
December 13th, 2011 at 21:43:18
Our Kula Name is Aggithaya. Kindly inform more about this category of shivalli brahmins. Gothra is Braghava. Moola is belongs to Inna Mundkur. Kindly enlighten me in this regard.
Raghu Ram Rao.K
Mb. 7760054238
December 25th, 2011 at 00:30:48
To Smt.Kavya Shree M.P. Noorithaya,
I believe , Noorithaya family, originally were settled around Kokkada village. They had the
right of worship as chief priests at the temple of Shree Ananthapadmanabha Temple of
Thiruvananthapura, along with 9 other shivalli families. One of the Noorithaya priest, tied the Raja Mudra Ungura to the janivara and tested the depth of the sacred well of the temple. It had under ground tunnel connecting the near by sea. A fish swallowed the ring. Noorithaya lost the ring. A fisherman caught the fish, in later date. While cutting it, saw the Unguara , that had Raja Mudre and braught to the Raja. Seeing the Ungura, Raja understood the adventure of his priest and for his negligency and misusing the sacred adhikara mudra, dismissed him from his duties. It is said , that after this event, noorithayas lost the right of worship at the Temple of Shree Ananthapadmanabha, Thiruvananthapura.
( you might have read more other details about this temple, while the Golden Tresure hidden under the temple gharbha gudi came to lime-light, few months back)
To Shree Rajaram Nalluraya,
There is a place called Nallur in Shivamogga District. This place is also known for paddy fields, just like Andhra nallur.
with best regards,
RAVI RAJ RAO N.
December 25th, 2011 at 00:47:30
To Mrs. Kavya Shree
Further, as far as understand, Kekunnayas are from Sullia taluk.
Ravi Raj Rao N.
December 25th, 2011 at 01:06:19
To Ms. Ramya Bhat and Shri Vishwanath Bhat,
Rao is not a surname of Shivalli brahmins. It is english version of Raya.
Ramaraya, Subraya…transformed to Rama Rao, Subba Rao for example.
Here is an actual fact for your understanding.
I am from Parlathaya family. My father came to Mangalore about 90 years back for his education. His name is actually Subhramanya and had petname- Subraya. While enroling him to the school, where a christian teacher was the Head master , asked him what was his name and my father promptly replied…Subraya. And his name was registered as Subba Rao. And naturally, there after, we the children were enrolled to our schools with the surname as Rao. Most of the shivalli brahmins , now a day, dont carry the original surnames. They are now mostly changed to Achar, Bhat and Rao or the name of the village .Due to this reason, the present generation dont know what family they belonged to, originally.
with regards,
Ravi Raj Rao N.