Surname Kartha - Meaning and Origin
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Kartha: What does the surname Kartha mean?
The surname Kartha is of Indian origin, commonly found in the southern state of Kerala. It is predominantly used by the Hindu community, particularly the Nairs, who were historically a martial nobility. Kartha, in the local Malayalam language, means "owner" or "holder". It stems from the traditional feudal system where a "Kartha" would denote the head of a traditional joint family or 'Tharavadu', own or control land and property, and be responsible for protecting and providing for the members of the family. The term is even used as a position of responsibility and respect in certain communities. Thus, this surname is closely linked with notions of leadership, responsibility and ownership. Please note that meanings of surnames can vary based on historical, geographical, and cultural contexts.
Order DNA origin analysisKartha: Where does the name Kartha come from?
The last name Kartha is most common today in India, particularly in the southern states of Karnataka and Kerala. Karnataka is believed to be the origin of the name, as a variation of "Karuta" which derives from the combination of "Karu" (star) and "Atha" (master). The name corresponds to a hierarchal title established centuries ago, typically associated with members of the Brahmin priestly caste who held high positions in the community and acted as spiritual advisors.
Kareth is also an anglicized version of the name, which is found in other parts of South Asia and diaspora communities in the West. The name has also been recorded in the 1881 English census as Kareth and variations such as Korthe and Karth. Additionally, a few European families may have adopted the name in the 19th century, when the Indian subcontinent was under British rule.
In modern times, Kartha is a common surname among families in India, with rising generations preserving and carrying forward its legacy. The surname is a reminder of an ancient heritage, and it is likely to remain a popular one for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Kartha
The surname Kartha is believed to have originated in the Sanskrit language. It is a popular surname, found in various parts of India.
The name is usually written as 'Kartha', but is also found spelled as Karthah, Karthas, Karta and Kartah. It is also sometimes written as Karteh, Karte, Karthay, Kattah and Kotah.
The spelling of Kartha can vary significantly depending upon the region, language and origin of the family. In certain areas of India, it may be written as Kharta or Khartah.
Kartha can also be found as two separate words, such as Kaartha, or Kaarthas. The latter one is more commonly seen in southern India and parts of Sri Lanka.
The variants of Kartha may also have slightly different meanings. For instance, Karta may mean 'lord' or 'king' in Sanskrit. Similarly, Kaartha means 'invincible', while Karta means 'creator' in some parts of India.
The surname Kartha is quite versatile and comes with a long list of variants. These can range from Kottah to Karte, Karthay to Kharta, and Kaarthas to Karta. Depending on the origin of the family, we may also find variations in the spelling or pronunciation of this name in different parts of India.
Famous people with the name Kartha
- Saiprasad Kshetrapal Kartha: An Indian cinematographer and director who wrote screenplay for the motion picture, ‘Godavari.’
- Ajit Kartha: A leading American flautist who developed a style of playing Indian classical music that created a whole new genre of music.
- Karthik Murali Kartha: An Indian-American music composer and singer who has created albums in Positive and Music Training Technology.
- Subadra Kartha: An Indian author who authored the book titled, ‘The Girl with the Golden Touch’.
- Anjula Kartha: A Canadian voice artist and actress with professional experience in television, film, radio, and theatre.
- Sanjeev Kartha: An Indian student leader who was arrested in 2009 for alleged Maoist connections.
- S. S. Kartha: An Indian historian who wrote a biography of Mahatma Gandhi.
- V. S. Kartha: An Indian film director who crafted the movie ‘Romance in the Rain’ in 1937.
- Vinod Kartha: An Indian-American software engineer who co-founded the Big Data software company, WibiData.
- Robert Kartha– An Indian critic and author who wrote the book, ‘The Works of Chekhov: A Study in the Theatre’.