Hegde

Hegade or Hegde (Kannada: ಹೆಗಡೆ, ಹೆಗ್ಡೆ Hegaḍe, Hegḍe) is a Kannadiga surname which has its origins in the Indian state of Karnataka.

The word "Hegade" is derived from the words "hegg" ("head") and "gaḍ" ("fort"); thus, it means "head of the fort". During the period of the Vijayanagara Empire, the warriors who used to protect a fort were called Hegades or Hegdes. It was also a title used by Bunt chieftains and other village heads. Hegde is used as a surname mainly by the Madhwas and Havyaka Brahmin and Hegde is used as a surname mainly by the Bunts (both Hindu and Jain). The surname also occurs among some Ramakshatriya (Kotegar) in Udupi, Kundapur region, Vokkaligas (in Shimoga) and Goud Saraswat Brahmins. The surname also used by Kurubas of Mandya, Mysore and some parts of Tamil Nadu.

Hegaḍe (ಹೆಗಡೆ) is also the name of a village in Kumta, Karnataka.

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