Shett
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Shett (also Shet/Sheth; Konkani/marathi:शेट /शेठ; Kannada:ಶೆಟ್ಟ,Portuguese: Xette,Chattim ), meaning "Superior", is a last name that is common among Daivajnas in west coast of India.
Daivajna people are commonly known as shett in the west coastal region of India. The word Shet is a corrupt form of the word “Shreshta"( श्रेष्ठ or श्रेष्ठीन् ) meaning superior. As the time progressed the word was transformed from “Shreshta” to “Shet”.
It was common in Goa for Daivajnas to add the name of their ancestral village or title after Shett to denote their origin. viz.Shet-Vernekar,Shet-Raikar ( denoting village) .
Daivajna people still in Goa still use to continue it as a honorific title. eg.
- Narayanshet
- Rayushet
Due to various socio-economic reasons Daivajna people migrated from Goa to other places, Daivajna people after migrating from Goa started using "Shet" as their surname jus to distinguish themselves from others (especially in South Canara,Udupi,Shimoga,some parts of North Canara and Kerala.
- The earliest reference of Shet can be found in Kadamba's empire on a copper plate inscription,saying king has donated land to Shree Kalika Temple in Goa at the hands of "Lakkhum shety".
- Gana Chattim ( as his name appears in the old Portuguese documents ) was an interpreter in Portugal's royal court.
- Roulu Chattim ( Name mentioned in 15th centuary documents )
