TED Conversations

Pabitra Mukhopadhyay

TEDCRED 30+

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

Does your surname has a story, a history or a character in it?

Take mine. It is a conjoint Sanskrit word having two parts. Mukh stands for Chief, Principal or Head and Upadhyay stands for a teacher.
Historically it corroborates. Mukhopadhyay were Brahmins brought by Kings of Sen Dynasty in medieval Bengal for enlightenment of his subjects.
Of course, in course of time Mukhopadhyays are teachers exclusively, in fact there are illiterate Mukhopadhyays too.
I wonder what does your surname stand for and if any insight can be gleaned from it.

+2
Share:

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.

  • thumb

    elizabeth muncey 10+

    • +2
    Feb 21 2013: A relative of mine has the family name Ajayi (from the Yoruba culture of Nigeria) - it means a baby born face down or 'shy'. I found it really interesting that Yoruba names reflect events around the time of the birth of a child, particularly in relation to other family members as well. I also like the tradition about the naming of twins always Taiwo and Kende, and the belief that the twin born second is actually the stronger twin, having 'sent' the first twin out to find out what the world is like before being born themselves. Just a thought or two. Anyway know my own family name is an 'evolution' of a French name Monceaux apparently. Family names are very important in the culture I originate in and there is actually a society of genealogists who will trace your lineage for you (for a fee) if you really want to know.
    • thumb

      Kate Blake 50+

      • 0
      Feb 21 2013: I think there are people in every culture keen to make money from tracing names or ancestors. In Scotland, many years ago, at one tartan mill they seemed to be able to relate any bodies surname to a Scottish ancestory and then advise you which tartan to buy ... It's all about business!
      • thumb

        elizabeth muncey 10+

        • 0
        Feb 21 2013: It is my understanding that it has a lot to do with Queen Victoria. After the death of her husband Prince Albert she went to Scotland. A fictionalised account is portrayed in the movie 'Mrs Brown'. The politicians of the day including Prime Minister Disraeli had to work very hard to encourage Queen Victoria to become a public figurehead again. Meanwhile the newly affluent middle classes took to tartan as a fashionable statement. So yes..,.,..business is always ready to step in to supply but somehow it is also about identity and community too. In my family there is a story that we are also descendants of Clan Macrae and Bonny Prince Charlie. Makes me feel a bit better on a grey and gloomy day. :D.

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.