Shett, also Shet, Sheth (Konkani: शेट, Marathi: शेठ, Kannada: ಶೆಟ್ಟ, Portuguese: Xette, Chattim), meaning "Superior", is a honorific title that is common among Daivajnas in west coast of India.
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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”[1].
The guilds of the traders,merchants and their employees who were mainly artisans,craftsman,husbandman etc. in ancient Goa,were called as Śreṇī,and the head of these guilds were called as Śreṣṭh or Śreṣṭhī,which would mean His Excellency.[2]
Until advent of Portuguese Daivajnas used titles such as Shett, Shetty, Setti, Chatti etc. after their first names. e.g. Virupa Chattim, Gana Shetty etc. Father's name was used as a middle name. Daivajna diaspora started using village names after their first names to distinguish themselves from other communities. e.g. Xiva Xamba Xete Verlencar (Shiva, son of Samba Shett from Velre village). Maiden name of the women was/is changed after marriage and married women adopted/adopts their husbands name and surname. In olden days suffix Bai (lady) was attached to a woman's after marriage (this tradition is still alive in some families). Women did not use any surname in olden days and used their husband's names instead. e.g. Parvoti Baim Caxinanta (Parvati wife of Kashinath Shet). In modern days all almost Daivajnas use Village names as their surnames.
Daivajna people still in Goa still use to continue it as a honorific title. eg.
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.
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