Tamil Surnames: List of Common Family Names

Tamil surnames are an integral part of Tamil culture, reflecting the rich history and heritage of the people. These surnames, often passed down through generations, hold deep meaning and significance, providing insights into family lineage, caste, and geographic origins. Let's explore some of the most common Tamil surnames and their unique stories.
1. **Aiyappan:** A surname commonly found among the Nair community, signifying a connection to the Hindu deity Ayyappan. It embodies faith and devotion.
2. **Alagiriswamy:** A surname representing a devout follower of the Hindu deity Lord Muruga, often associated with the Alagar Hills in Madurai.
3. **Anandan:** A surname meaning "joyful" or "happy," reflecting a positive and optimistic spirit.
4. **Arunachalam:** A surname referencing the sacred Arunachala hill in Tamil Nadu, revered by Hindus as a powerful spiritual center.
5. **Balasubramanian:** A surname honoring the Hindu deity Lord Subramanya, known for his youthful vigor and strength.
6. **Baskaran:** A surname signifying "the one who radiates," often associated with light and wisdom.
7. **Chidambaram:** A surname connected to the holy Chidambaram temple in Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Lord Shiva, known for its spiritual significance.
8. **Dhandapani:** A surname often linked to the god Vishnu, symbolizing righteousness and the triumph of good over evil.
9. **Ganesan:** A surname honoring the elephant-headed deity Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, symbolizing success and prosperity.
10. **Gopalan:** A surname often associated with the god Krishna, suggesting a connection to cowherds and pastoral life.
11. **Hariharan:** A surname honoring the god Vishnu, known for his divine beauty and power.
12. **Jayaraman:** A surname denoting victory and triumph, often associated with the Hindu deity Lord Rama.
13. **Kannan:** A surname meaning "one who has beautiful eyes," often used as a nickname for Lord Krishna.
14. **Karthik:** A surname referencing the Hindu god Kartikeya, the god of war and victory, embodying strength and courage.
15. **Kumar:** A surname meaning "prince" or "young man," suggesting nobility and leadership.
16. **Krishnamoorthy:** A surname honoring the god Krishna, signifying devotion and divine grace.
17. **Mahadevan:** A surname signifying a "great god," usually referring to Lord Shiva, the supreme deity.
18. **Muthukumar:** A surname signifying a "handsome prince," often associated with nobility and elegance.
19. **Narayanan:** A surname honoring the god Vishnu, often associated with the divine and cosmic order.
20. **Natarajan:** A surname connected to Lord Shiva, who is known as the "Lord of the Dance," signifying creativity and artistic expression.
21. **Palani:** A surname referring to the holy Palani hills in Tamil Nadu, a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus.
22. **Palaniswamy:** A surname signifying a "follower of the deity of Palani," often connected to the god Murugan.
23. **Pandian:** A surname often linked to the ancient Pandyan dynasty, known for its rich history and cultural legacy.
24. **Perumal:** A surname signifying a "supreme lord," often associated with the god Vishnu, representing divine authority.
25. **Rajan:** A surname meaning "king" or "ruler," suggesting power and leadership.
26. **Ramalingam:** A surname honoring the god Rama, signifying devotion and righteousness.
27. **Raman:** A surname meaning "delightful" or "joyful," often used as a nickname for Lord Rama.
28. **Rangan:** A surname connected to the god Vishnu, often associated with his divine abode in the Ranganathaswamy Temple.
29. **Ravichandran:** A surname signifying a "divine moon," embodying wisdom and grace.
30. **Sankar:** A surname meaning "harmonious" or "unified," often associated with Lord Shiva, representing cosmic balance.
31. **Saravanan:** A surname honoring the god Murugan, symbolizing strength, courage, and victory.
32. **Sekar:** A surname often associated with the god Shiva, signifying a powerful and benevolent deity.
33. **Selvam:** A surname meaning "wealth" or "prosperity," symbolizing abundance and success.
34. **Senthil:** A surname meaning "red," often associated with the god Murugan, representing passion and energy.
35. **Shanmugam:** A surname honoring the god Murugan, signifying love, beauty, and grace.
36. **Sivakumar:** A surname meaning "lion of Shiva," signifying courage and strength.
37. **Subramanian:** A surname honoring the god Murugan, signifying devotion and divine protection.
38. **Sundaram:** A surname meaning "beautiful" or "handsome," symbolizing aesthetic appreciation and beauty.
39. **Thangavelu:** A surname meaning "golden spear," often associated with the god Murugan, representing strength and victory.
40. **Venkatraman:** A surname honoring the god Vishnu, signifying a "protector of the universe," embodying divine power and care.
41. **Vishwanathan:** A surname meaning "one who is revered by the world," signifying great respect and admiration.
42. **Vijay:** A surname meaning "victory" or "triumph," often associated with the god Rama, symbolizing success and achievement.
43. **Vimal:** A surname meaning "pure" or "spotless," symbolizing innocence and purity.
44. **Yogeshwaran:** A surname signifying a "master of yoga," representing spiritual enlightenment and self-realization.
45. **Chandrasekhar:** A surname honoring the god Shiva, signifying a "ruler of the moon," embodying serenity and grace.
46. **Durairaj:** A surname meaning "righteous king," symbolizing justice and fairness.
47. **Krishnaswamy:** A surname signifying a "follower of Krishna," embodying devotion and spiritual practice.
48. **Somasundaram:** A surname meaning "beautiful moon," symbolizing beauty and grace.
49. **Thiagarajan:** A surname meaning "great king," symbolizing power and leadership.
50. **Vaidyanathan:** A surname meaning "physician of the world," symbolizing healing and medical expertise.