Echoes of a Name: The Legacy and Language of Indian Surnames: Tracing Caste, Culture, and Community

Why does your surname matter-and what forgotten history hides behind it?

In "Echoes of a Name: The Legacy and Language of Indian Surnames", student author and cultural researcher Pranav Nadgir unravels the meaning and evolution of 20+ surnames across the Karnataka region. Through a blend of archival research, oral histories, and local gazetteers, the book uncovers the occupational, territorial, caste-linked, religious, and genealogical roots that shaped how communities named-and renamed-themselves over centuries.

From Nadgir, Kulkarni, and Patil to Fernandes, Shetty, and Bharadwaj, each chapter brings to life the real stories behind names that still shape identity in modern India. Spanning temple towns, colonial census offices, and family shrines, the book traces how British law, migration, reform movements, and education transformed what a name could mean.

Rich with charts, maps, and cultural analysis, this 70+ page volume is a rare exploration of Karnataka's invisible history-written not by a professor, but by a curious young mind passionate about preserving it.

Whether you're a history lover, genealogist, or someone simply curious about your last name, this book will make you look at identity in a whole new way.