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Updated January 10, 2024

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Family name origins & meanings

  • Indian (Maharashtra, Karnataka) : Hindu (usually Brahman) name, from Marathi kụlkəṛni ‘village clerk’ (from Sanskrit kula ‘family’, ‘community’ + karạna ‘writer’ or kaṛnī ‘helmsman’). The kulkarni was a village official under the patel or village headman; he kept the accounts of the cultivators for the government and also the public records. The office of kulkarni was hereditary. As a rule, a Brahman was appointed to this office. He received some land rent free and was paid an annual salary.

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