Hegde

Hegade or Hegde (Kannada: ಹೆಗಡೆ, ಹೆಗ್ಡೆ Hegaḍe, Hegḍe) is a surname from coastal Karnataka in India. It is found among Kannada speaking Hindus and Jains of the Bunt community.

History

The word "Hegade" is derived from the words "hegg" ("head") and "gaḍ" ("fort"); thus, it means "head of the fort". During the period of the Vijayanagara Empire, the warriors who used to protect a fort were called Hegades or Hegdes. It was also a title used by Bunt chieftains and other village heads. Hegde is used as a surname mainly by the Madhwas and Havyaka Brahmin. The surname also occurs among some Ramakshatriya (Kotegar) in Udupi, Kundapur region and Vokkaligas (in Shimoga). The surname is also used by Kurubas of Mandya and Mysore. Hegaḍe (ಹೆಗಡೆ) is also the name of a village in Kumta, Karnataka.

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