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)”

BrahminTamil OriginTamil

History & Significance

Tamil Brahmin surname associated with the Sri Vaishnava tradition.

Meaning & Origin

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

Regional Distribution

The Iyengar surname is predominantly found in:

Tamil NaduKarnataka

What is the Gotra for Iyengar?

Gotra is passed down through the paternal line and may vary within families sharing the same surname. Use our Gotra Finder to discover which Gotra your family belongs to.

Find Iyengar Gotra →

In the Blog

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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