Surname Shetty - Meaning and Origin

Shetty: What does the surname Shetty mean?

The last name Shetty is derived from the Tulu language and is believed to have been used by some communities in India. It is usually found amongst the Nawayath Muslims, the Kudumbi Hindu community and the Billava Hindu community. Shetty is taken from the word ‘Shet’ which means ‘head’, which is reflected in the title ‘Shetty’ meaning ‘head of a caste’ or ‘head of a family’.

The Shetty family is believed to have originally come from the Tulu region of Karnataka and later moved to the cities of Mangalore, Bangalore and other parts of Southern India. According to many sources, the Shetty were initially involved in the trade of jewellery in various parts of the country.

In Southern India, the Shetty are considered to be a part of the large Billava community. This community is mainly centered in the districts of Karnataka, known for producing talented actors, musicians, members of the sports community and many other successful professionals.

The Shetty clan is considered to be highly entrepreneurial and are known for being a highly educated and hardworking section of society. Many figures in the business and government sector, members of the Indian Armed Forces, film industry and professional sports have their roots within the Shetty family in southern India.

The most prominent member of the Shetty family is arguably Uday Shetty, a successful business magnate from Mangalore, who is also a philanthropist and the former chairman of Infosys. He is considered to be a role model for the Shetty clan, and a symbol of their success in government, business and the professional spheres.

Shetty: Where does the name Shetty come from?

The last name Shetty is mainly associated with the South Indian community of the Konkani people. This ethnic group is known for its historical presence in the coastal regions of the states of Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra in India, and also has a strong presence in Dubai and other parts of the United Arab Emirates.

The Shetty name comes from two sources: the word "Shet" in Sanskrit, which means "honest, trustworthy, earnest"; and the Brahmin phrase "teeka", which is used as a suffix to the names of people in their profession or status. This has resulted in many people having the last name Shetty in India, often accompanied by their paternal name or family title and is a common sight in the South Indian community.

In India, Shettys are especially concentrated in the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, where their presence is indelibly linked with the traditional agrarian culture. However, their presence has been steadily increasing in the larger cities of India as well as in other parts of the world, including the UAE.

The Shettys have transformed from a small ethnic group to a large and influential economic and social force in India, and in other parts of the world such as the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA, and Canada.

With the increasing immigration of the South Indian community abroad, it is likely that the last name Shetty will gain more popularity in these countries in the years to come.

Variations of the surname Shetty

The surname Shetty is of Indian origin and is mainly found amongst Indian communities of South India, as well as amongst the Konkani speaking people of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa. It is derived from the term ‘shetty’, which means ‘merchant’ or ‘ trader’. The most common variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include the following:

Shet

The variant spelling ‘Shet’ is mainly found amongst the Karwari community, and is derived from the Konkani word ‘shet’, which means ‘carved head’. This variant is found especially in areas associated with the ancient maritime trading communities of the erstwhile South India Sultanates.

Shettya

The alternate spelling ‘Shettya’ is used particularly by the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi coastal districts of Karnataka, where it is a hereditary surname.

Schetteh

The variant spelling ‘Schetteh’ is usually seen in some parts of Goa, and also by the Catholic community known as the East Indian Catholics of Mumbai. This variant is derived from the Portuguese spelling of ‘shetteh’.

Shettee

The other alternate spelling is ‘Shettee’, which is mainly found amongst Goan Catholics in Mumbai. This spelling is derived from the Portuguese term ‘shettee’, which means ‘merchant’.

Shetey

The variant spelling ‘Shetey’ is also seen amongst the Goan Catholic community, and is derived from the Portuguese spelling of the same surname.

Shette

The alternate spelling ‘Shette’ is mainly found among the Catholic East Indians as well as the Konkani speaking Gowda community. This variant is derived from the Konkani term ‘shette’, which has the same root as the term ‘shetty’.

Setty

The variant spelling ‘Setty’ is seen amongst the Konkani speaking families of coastal Karnataka, and is derived from the word ‘shetty’.

Seth

The surname ‘Seth’ is also seen amongst Konkani speaking communities of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka, and is derived from the word ‘shetty’.

Sait

The surname ‘Sait’ is seen especially in North Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa, and is derived from the word ‘shetty’.

Satte

The variant spelling ‘Satte’ is seen amongst the Konkani speakers of Canacona and Chorao in Goa, and is derived from the word ‘shetty’.

Famous people with the name Shetty

• Anil Shetty: Anil Shetty is a Bollywood film composer and playback singer who has been creating music for the Bollywood industry for more than a decade.
• Shamita Shetty: Shamita Shetty is an Indian film actress and model. She made her debut in the film Mohabbatein and has since acted in several films, notably Bhoot, Zeher, Cash, and names.
• Suniel Shetty: Suniel Shetty is a well-known Indian film actor and producer who has been active since the early 1990s. He is best known for his roles in films such as Border, Hera Pheri, Dhadkan, and Main Hoon Na.
• Raj Kundra: Raj Kundra is an Indian entrepreneur and businessman who was born in London, England. He is the co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals and founder of the online trading platform Shilpa Shetty Stock Brokerage Ltd.
• Shilpa Shetty: Shilpa Shetty is a Bollywood actress, businesswoman, and television personality who is best known for her roles in films such as Om Shanti Om, Dhadkan, and Main Hoon Na.
• Shamita Shetty: Shamita Shetty is a Bollywood actress and model who initially found fame as an MTV VJ. She is best known for her roles in films such as Bhoot, Zeher, and Cash.
• Aishwarya Shetty: Aishwarya Shetty is a popular Indian film actress who has starred in numerous Kannada and Tamil films. She is best known for her roles in films such as Udhayam NH4 and Romeo Juliet.
• Vishal Shetty: Vishal Shetty is an Indian journalist and media personality. He is the founder and CEO of Broadview Media and the host of the podcast Global DataCast.
• Isha Shetty: Isha Shetty is an Indian film actress who is primarily active in Kannada films. She is best known for her roles in films such as Hebbuli and Maranegidi Subba Rao.

Other surnames

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