Gowda (surname)

For the community called Gowda, see Vokkaliga.

Gowda (IPA: [ɡɐu̯ɖɐ], also known as Gauda, Gouda or Gonda) is a surname native to Karnataka, India. It is mainly found among the Vokkaligas in South Karnataka and the Lingayats in North Karnataka. It is also used by other communities like Kurubas, Namadhari Naiks, and Billavas.

Gowda was originally an honorific used by the administrative head of a village. Typically, such a head owned land and held political and social sway in the village. Among Kurubas, it was used to refer to the head of the community.

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