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]
ACHAR is my surname.
Acharya is listed, but Achar is not.
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?
Can you specify the meaning of Ballakur. How is it derived?
Is the Surname RAO comes in Shivalli brahmin
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.
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..
My surname is “Kannaraya”, can i know how it came…Is it the name for Rayaru for Kannur. any other details can i get..?
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??
My family name is Aithal”. Can you tell me how it has come?
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.
Can someone please specify the meaning of “Kalkura”..?????
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.
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…
My family surname is Ballakkuraya. Can you tell me how this has originated?
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
may i know the surname how ‘baipadithaya’ arrived?
definately just about caught my room on fire! and now the incense stick is burning from both ends lmfao.
Always wondered where the name “Tati” came from.
can u please tell about noorittaya and kekunnaya…
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,
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.
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.
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.
Our kula is shibarooraya. Can u please find the history of this kula in south karnataka
Raghunatha Rao
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
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.
To Mrs. Kavya Shree
Further, as far as understand, Kekunnayas are from Sullia taluk.
Ravi Raj Rao N.
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.
hi all,
We belong to Bhargava gothra, our sirname is Rao and our house name is called as KODANGE house. Can anybody tell how to trace back our family name and we originally belong to which place. suggestion please
Rajesh Rao
Hi All,
Very interesting article.
Also…to add to the above theory – earlier people used to add “Aiya” affter the same…Like Padmanabhaiya, Vasudevaiya…etc.
This is to add respect their personalitie.
on bahalf of GopalaKrishna Rao, Yermal (Rtd. Teacher)
This site is essential requirement for all shivalli brahmins,in view of retaining our culture and to educate our youngsters,who are not taught to add their Kulanama,its importence,and the benefit of saying the Gothra,Pravara,soothra daily while doing nithyahnika and other rituals,which makes our “Pitru Varga”happy.This also prevents Varnasankara to some extent.Brahmins are attacked in every directions but our cultural integrity and ahimsa always protects us.congrats to all who worked hard for making this website and good response given to members by them.Nanku Daivanugraha ippunu.
Let me know that the name ANALAkkatt is derived from ANALATHAYA family. We heard that our ancient family was near GOKARNAM.
To my understanding, all ‘Panchabrahmanas’ from coastal Karnataka & Malenadu share (or claim?) almost the same history. Ahichchatrapura, invitation by Kadambas (mayoora Varma), boon by Parashurama, his curse etc etc… As such, none of this can be proved (or disproved). We Indians never had an innate desire to maintain proper records of our lineage.
The British & the Amreicans are the other extreme… They go to the extent of hiring unprincipled ‘scholars’ to dig out & create an honorable history for their family if needed !!!
Australians are a better lot. They do not feel ashamed to link themselves to some hoodlum or a deportee from Britain, Holland etc..
By the way, Kindly advise whether Aithals & Karanths – no such names within Shivalli community? Bhat, Upadhyaya, Rao – they seem to belong to any of the Panchabrahmanas? Are there Udupas or others comnmon in Kotas or Havyakas?
My surname is “Bhat” which isnt listed. Can anyone plz tell me what is “Bhat”
@Rakshit Bhat avre,
Please check this link. (Replace (dot) by actual dot.) Bhat is listed under surnames.
shivallibrahmins(dot)com/family-names/list-of-all-shivalli-family-names/
nellithaya panda pulithamara ath, nellikaida mara, nanonmi prasne pulinchathaya or puninchithaya? because pulincha panpuna ooru vitlada kaitholu undu ancha pulinchathaya avoda?
Yenu Kannaraya Family gu sernaye. Angeersa Gotra, Barahaspathya Bharadwaja Pravara, Ashwalayana sootra. Bayalangadi kannaraya panduthu yenku gottu. BUT yenklena tharavadu, illu, deveru, bootho poora oolu gottiddi. so yeregla gottundata pls mail me. shrinikbh@gmail.com
I want to know the origin of my sirname MANJA
Dear Shrivasa Kannaraya :
In Kannaraya Family Name :Pravara is Angirasa-Ambarisha-Yuvanashva is coming i think.
If so;
As per Gothra, Pls do find the details:
1. Kuladevaru as per Gothra
Alevoor Vishnumoorthy/ Kodavoor Sankaranarayana.
2. Kula Matha
Herga Durgaparameshwari / Shimanthooru Aadi Janardhana
This may be as per your Gothra provided; and
Gramma / Village Devaru of Kannaraya to be found out…
depends on the living Gramma of your Ancestors
Thank you…
I would like to know the ‘Kuladevathe’ of Nallurayas, belonging to Vasishta Gothra. A clear cut information is lacking on this. Kindly enlighten us. Regards.
Ballakkuraya or Ballakoor came from the name of village Ballakkuraya, near Manjeswara. Even now Ballakkurayas are staying in this village.
Ballakkuraya or Ballakoor came from the name of village Ballakkur , near Manjeswara. Even now Ballakkurayas are staying in this village.
Very interesting. If all shivalli brahmins contribute like this, we will have a lot of information about our origin and also about our ancestors.
I belong to Vailaya Family, Bhargava Gotra, Pancharsheya Pravara( Bhargava, Chyavana, Aupluvaan, Ourwa and Jamadagni), Ashwalayana Sutra, Rugvedis. As far as I know, there were five Vailaya Family in D K and surrounding Districts. Karaya near Uppinangady was the centre. We are from Hithalpady-near Guttigar(Sullia) but no one is staying there now, Adoor Vailaya’s – Sullia and Shirwa Vailaya’s near Kumta. I do not know where is the fifth family is. If some one can contribute further on Vailaya Family, I would be grateful.
Ballakkurayas are the ones who originally lived in Ballakkur village near Manjeshwar (now part of Kerala in Kasaragodu district.
where is bayalangadi located
Manjittaya surname wr it is how it is hails. Pls reply me
Hi manjittaya surname wr it is how it is hails. Pls reply
Dear Radha Krishna anna,
Manjittaya Family hails from Alevoor Grama i guess.
Kuladevaru of Manjithaya showing as : Kodangala Vishnumoorthy and Kodavur Shankara Narayana.
Also Herga Durga Parameshwari & Shimanthooru Adi Janardhana also showing as per the Gothra ( Angirasa).
Rgds
Dileep Madhavan.
Respected Sir,
Kindly let me know the meaning of Kekunnaya.
Thank you!
warmest regards,
Pramila
My name is SHESHADRI kV my father name is venkateshaiah
My grand father name is sheshagiraiah
My gotta vishwamitra-
Gotrapravara is vishwamitra-devaratha -owdala
Kindly inform me my kuladevaru