What does the Iyengar surname mean?

The Iyengar surname means "Five hundred (community)". It is of Tamil origin and is predominantly found among Brahmin communities in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka.

What caste or community is the Iyengar surname from?

The Iyengar surname is traditionally associated with the Brahmin community. Tamil Brahmin surname associated with the Sri Vaishnava tradition.

Iyengar Surname

“Five hundred (community)”

Also spelled: Ayyangar

Brahmin surnamesTamil origin · Tamil

History & Significance

Tamil Brahmin surname associated with the Sri Vaishnava tradition.

What is the Gotra for Iyengar?

Iyengar families belong to many Gotras: it is passed down the paternal line, not fixed by the surname. These 4 Gotras are the ones most often recorded among Iyengar families:

Srivatsa Aapastamba Bodhayana Haritha

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Meaning & Origin

Meaning: Five hundred (community)
Origin: Tamil
Language: Tamil
Category: Brahmin

Regional Distribution

The Iyengar surname is predominantly found in:

Tamil Nadu Karnataka

Related Surnames

SubramaniamDear to Brahmins / Murugan the beloved VenkataramanRama of Venkata hills (Lord Balaji)SrinivasanAbode of Sri Lakshmi / Lord Vishnu VenkatesanLord of the Venkata hills (Balaji)ParthasarathyCharioteer of Arjuna (Krishna)

In the Blog

Iyengar Surnames and Gotras: Vadakalai and Tenkalai Families Explained

Explore Iyengar surnames and Gotras in Vadakalai and Tenkalai traditions, their Rishi lineages, regional variations, and cultural identity within Tamil Brahmin heritage.

Gotra System in South India — Tamil, Telugu & Kannada Brahmin Gotras

A complete guide to the Gotra system in South Indian Brahmin communities — how Iyer, Iyengar, Telugu, Kannada, and Kerala Brahmin communities use Gotras, and how South Indian Gotra practice differs from North India.

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