Karava of Sri Lanka

Family names

Ancestral names of the Karavas

A Karava typically has a Clan name &/or Ge name preceding the personal (given) names and a Surname following the personal name/names. Some uniquely Karave names are explained below:

Clan names

Clan names are a unique characteristic of the Karawas. Most of the Karavas in Sri Lanka belong to one or more of the illustrious Suriya clans; Kurukulasuriya, Warnakulasuriya, Mihindukulasuriya, Bharathakulasuriya, Manukulasuriya, Wijayakulasuriya or Arasakulasuriya, which are clear indicators of their descent from the Kshatriya Solar dynasties. These Clan namesalso appear to indicate distinct streams of migrations.

Other Karawe clans are Vadugas, Koon Karavas(such as Samarakoon meaning 'king of war', Weerakoon meaning 'brave king'and Wijekoon meaning 'victorious king'. The name of Karava King Wimaladharmasuriya I (1591-1604) before his coronation was Koon-Appu Bandara. Koon is a south Indian word for King and the Sri Lankan chronicle Rajavaliya says that Matara was given to Samarakoon Ralahami for exceptional valor at war. An Amarakoon Mudaliyar had been killed by other Karava Mudaliyars in Jaffna, for conspiring with the usurper Cankili II (Cosme 20). The Weerakoons of "Nupe House" are another Karava Koon family of Matara and It is believed that the original Illangakoone Mudalis of Matara were Karavas) and Konda Karavas (such as Weera Konda, Konda Perumal rachchig etc). In addition to the above clan names, most southern Karavas also bear 'G names' which is apeculiarly southern Sri Lankan custom.

Some Scholars believe that all Karvas in ancient times had a distinct clan name and identity. Such identities are still strongly evident in Negombo, Chilaw and other towns north of Colombowith a high concentration of Karvas.

G names

The adoption of g names by the Karvas living south of Colombo has led to the near disappearance of their more ancient Karava clan names. G names are generally an indicator of traditional status in southern Sri Lanka and the adoption of such names indicate centuries of assimilation into the southern culture.

Old documents show that Karavas initially used these names sans the 'ge ' suffix. eg. Heva instead of Hevage and Patabendi instead of Patabendige. Such usage sans the 'ge ' suffix was possible because the Karavas, unlike service castes such as cultivators, were not bound by tenure to anyone. The Karavas were free citizens who chose their own allegiances to kings and kingdoms. However with the fall of the feudal system and the service tenure system becoming irrelevant, the Karawas too have started using the 'ge ' suffixwithout understanding it's connotation.

G namesare the traditional, hereditary family namesof the Sinhhala speaking population of Sri Lanka. They denotes a person's ancestry, caste, traditional occupation of the family, social status, descent from an illustrious ancestor, the name of the owner/lord/masteror the village of origin.

Some meaningless Ge names have been attributed by Karava loreto spiteful errors made by the census officers who helped the European colonists to prepare Tombo records. A notorious scribe who is mentioned often is Alagiyawanna Mukaveti who is accused of recording Arasamuni Jayasuriya Pathiraja Pathirennehe as Dombagaha Pathirage and the name of the lord of Kathaluwa's Bandarawatta (properties knownas Bandarawattes seem to have a special connection to the Karavas. There are Bandarawattes in Matara, Weligama, Kathaluva, Ambalangoda etc all previously owned by Karava familes. It may also be relevant to mention here that there were Karava Bandara families hailing from Matara etc and that Kandyan use of the name Bandara is a 20th century phenominon. British period recods show that previously Kandyans only used the name Banda)as Ge balana Tantrige. (according to Galle Thombu Mudliyar F. E. Gooneratne's 'Dutch Times' quoted in Kaurava Wansa Kathava). Bamini Hannedige is said to be another error. Once entered (either correctly or erroneously) in the Thombo, the names so recorded appear to have become the permanent official identity by which each of the the householders had to live by.

Unlike a surname added at the end of one's name, the G name precede an individuals personal name. As such it is important to understand and differenciate the historical significance of these ancient Ge names vis--vis the 20th century, British period acquired high sounding surnames such as Bandaranaike, Dissanayake, Senanayake, Jayawardene, Wijayawardene etc.

The majority of Karawa ge names reveal military, naval or allied occupations and it is noteworthy that none of the Karava ancestral names are fishing oriented. Unlike Govi caste families who have avoided any reference to their occupation and adapted village names or impressive modern family names , the Karawas of the past do not seem to have had a need to hide their traditional occupations. This 'Karava pride' has been observed even by the modern Author Bryce Ryan of 'Caste in Ceylon' fame. He says "the Karava, whether village or urbanite, never covers up his caste; to the contrary he is usually proud of it" (Ryan 107)

Some of the traditional occupations of Karva families as revealed by their g names are: Kings, Rulers and Sub-kings (Adithya, Arasa-nilaitta, Devar, Devarir, Galappaththi, Patabendige , Singha, Singam) Officials (Ginige, Kanknamg, Liyanag, Mandadig,Tuppahig, Tantrige, Telge, Vidnag) Religious, Learned & folk cult officiators (Ginig, Gurunnanselage, Guruge, Kapug, Pattini, Sattambige, Tantrige, Telg, Vedage, Yeddehige); Traders (Francisku Hettige, Hettiakandage, Hettiarachchige, Hettihewage, Hettiya Patabendige); Military (rachchig, Bala, Guardia, Guardiya, Hennadig, Hewa, Heva, Hevage, Hwag, Kodikarage); Naval (Marakkalag, Mlimig, Mlavig);

The most frequently occuring Karava Ge names in alphabetical order are Arachchige, Hennedige, Hewage, Marakkalage and Patabendige. All these names overwhelmingly show a traditional military heritage and confirms the Kshatriya origins of the group as claimed by Karava legends and family histories.

Modern writers who attempt to give a fisher ancestry for the Karava community have yet been unable to explain how their 'fisher caste' theories fit in with these ancestral military names.None of these ancient karava family names indicatean association with thefishing industry. They testify the Khattriya warrior ancestry of the Karawas.

The Karaves have borne these ancestral family names (indicative of their traditional occupations) for centuries. They have never sought anonymity by swapping their traditional occupational names for village names as done particularly by the Govigama community.

Some of the more frequenty encountered Karava Ge names are:

Adithya / Aditya-Rasamanukula Kurukula Adithya Colomba Mahapatabendi Maha Vidanage, Thakura ArthaDeva Guardia Vasam Lindamulage etc.

Arachchige - A Military officer. The British colonials were well aware of the natives love for titles of honour and they fully exploited it by liberally dispensing titles and honours to loyal servants of the crown. As a result, during the British period, rachchig became a common name bestowed upon people of many castes upon being appointed to various minor posts ranging from Fiscal Officers to Rest House Keepers.

Some of the older formsof the name are: Galappati Arachchige, Gunasekera Arachchige, Siman Arachchige, Sena Arachchige, Hetti Arachchige, Don Domingo Arachchige, Jayaweera Arachchige, Kasturi Arachchige, Kandan Arachchige, Kalu Arachchige, Kumara Singhe Arachchige, Kattu Kurumisa Arachchige, Liyana Arachchige, Madappuli Arachchige, Mudankonda Arachchige, Mivala Arachchige, Mahamada Arachchige, Maha Mudali Arachchige, Pasikku Arachchige (according to Winslow's Tamil Dictionary, Paasi is a derivate, denoting Varuna, the god of the sea), Ranasinghe Arachchige, Sembakutti Arachchige, Wickrema Arachchige, Wadana Konda Arachchige, Wirakonda Arachchige, Vedikkara Arachchige, Arachchiralalage, Arasakulasuriya Arachchiralalage, Juvan Arachchiralalage, Kurukula Arachchiralalage etc.

Arasa Marakkalage- Royal Mariner. For more information seeMarakkalage

Baduge Variant form of Vaduge - a Karava Clan name meaning Northerner, Nayaka dynasty - For more information seeKings of Kandy.

Balage / Batage(Bala is now often mispronounced as 'Baala' giving the impression of cheap,inferior or junior. Bala was pronoiunced in the past asin Balapitiyaand Balawardhana) - Meaning military, forces, cavalry. The extended forms are: Balage, Balasuriyage, Bala Appuge, Balappu Vaduge, Balahewage, Balapitiyage, Balapatabendige, Lokubalasuriya, Manavaduge (Bala Vaduge), Weerasannadhdha Weerabala Kuru Utumpala Mahabala Jayasuriyage,Bataduwage, Batapolage

Dissanayake Traditionally it meant a military leader of an entire region, but it became a common name adopted by many during the British period. Karava families who used the name from the time of Sri Lankan kings mostly hail from Moratuwa and Chilaw.

Doru This appears to be an honorific title used by the Karavas during the Dutch period. it has affinity with the respectful word Perakadoru used for an Advocate. The word Doru in such Karava names seem to have replaced their traditional appellations such as Suriya and Koon to keep up with fashionable naming conventions of the colonial period. Hence traditional Karava names such as Amarakoon or Amarasuriya became Amaradoru - > Amadoru. The extended forms are: Amadoru, Salpadoru, Vijayadoru, Wijedoru etc.

Gurunnanselage / Guruge - Teacher / cult officiator. The extended forms are: Ambalangoda Gurunnanselage, Maggona Gurunnanselage, Nanayakkarawasam Maggona Mohotti Gurunnanselage,Tuscooray (Kasturi?) Mohotti Gurunnanselage, Demala Palliya Gurunnanselage, Guruge, Atureliya Guruge,Maduwa Guruge, Kahava Guruge,Maduwa Guru singhe ge

Galappaththige / Galappathyge- (some researchers derive this name fromGahapathi the ancient Sri Lankan name for ruler / king. Others think it is derived from 'Dalapati', the name for Naval commanders as used during the time of the Gajapathi rulers of Orissa)The extended forms are: Galappaththyge, Loku Galappaththige, Galappaththi Kankanamge, Galappaththi Arachchige, Abraham Galappaththige, Polwatte Galappaththige.

Gardia - Guard regiment. A Portuguese name for Balage, Hennedige, Hewage etc. The extended forms are: Gardiyage, Gardiya Hewa, Gardiya Punchihewa, Gardiyawasam Lindamulage, Gardiyawasam Hewa Fonsekage Fonseka, Thakurartha Devaditya Gardiyawasam Lindamulage.

Ginige - . Custodian of fire. Prior to gunpowder and firearms it would have involved the fuel, firewood and fire making apparatus. Ginige, Giganage, Giganabadanage, Karigiganage

Hennedige / Hannadige / Hennadige- From Sannaddha -- > Sannadi.Armoured military office. A corrupted form is Hanvedige. The extended forms are: Aruma Hennedige, Andra Hennedige (custodians of the Kataragama devale at Dondra), Appu Hennedige, Boda Hennedige, Bodiya Hennedige, Bamina Hennedige, Diyogu Hennedige, Juwina Hennedige, Henda Vitharana (Henda from sannadda / Hennedi- armoured), Hanvedige, Harsha Muni Jayasuriya Pathiraja Hennedige, Hewana Hennedige, Kalalu Hennedige, Kalu Hennedige,Kokku Hennedige, Marakkala Hennedige, Mumaran Hennedige, Kunni Hennedige, Kunni Vendra Vedi Arasakula Hennedige, Lokku Hennedige, Lewis Hennedige, Pattini Hennedige, Patiraja (Pathiraja) Hennedige, Maha Hennedige, Ponna (ponna = gold A complete suit of richly embossed gold armour had been part of the regalia of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe seized by the British in 1815. It had been sold by auction on 13^th June 1820 by Thomas King at Covent Garden for the weight of the gold as the British Agent John DOyly, possibly misled by one of his low caste interpreters, hadnt classified this under the head of Regalia of the Crown. See Pieris 1939 pg 206) Hennedige, Sella Hennedige,Sudrikku Hennedige, Sauanda Hennedige, Suwanda Hennedige, Suhada Hennedige,Tena Hennedige, Tenuvara Hennedige,Tiya Hennedige, Tikiri Hennedige, Vachchi Hennedige, Varuna Deepta Kurukulasuriya Pasikku Hennedige (according to Winslow's Tamil Dictionary, Paasi is a derivate, denoting Varuna, the god of the sea. As such this name is another form of the Karava ge name Varuna Hennedige), Varuna Hennedige, Varusa Hennedige (descendants of General Manikkudeva Nallur Varusa Vipula Sannadda - according to Kaurava Wansa Kathava) ,Vira Hennedige,etc

Hettige - Commercial pursuit -a trader: Francisku Hettige, Hettiakandage, Hettiarachchige, Hettihewage, Hettiya Patabendigeetc.

Hewage / Hevage / Hewa / Heva- Soldier. Extended forms are: Bala Hewa, Bindu Hewa, Balapeti Guardiya Hewa, Bentota Hewa, Galbokku Hewa, Guardiya Hewa, Guardiya Punchi Hewa, Guardiyavasam Hewage, Golu Hewage, Gam Hewage, Goda Hewa, Gammeda Hewa,Hetti Hewage, Henda Hewage (Henda from sannadda - armoured) , Juan Heva, Kanda uda Hewage, Kotte Hewage, Lama Hewa, Loku Satu Hewage, Kalutota Guardiya Punchi Hewa, Lorenzu Hewa, Kulugala Hewa, Kanaka Hewa, Kulasekera Bindu Hewa, Maduwe Heva (as in Avuda maduwa - weapons store), Militota Hewage, Moratuwa Hewage, Nalla Hewage, Naide Appu Hewa, Panadura Hewa, Paulu Hewage, Parana Hewage, Pattiya Guardiya Hewage, Punchi Hewa, Sella Hewa, Samara Hewa (Samara meant war), Sembakutti Hewa, Siman Hewa, Sarangu Hewa, Tota Hewa, Tennaide Hewa, Vija Hewage, Uluvisi (Ulu vansa, Chandra Lunar race) 'VadugeHewage, Welabada Hewa, Wickrema Kalutota Hewa, Wijehewa etc.

Kankanamage / Kankanamge Supervising military officer below an Arachchi.Extended forms are: Kodituwakku Kankanamage, Loku Kankanamage, Mudannagoda Kankanamage, Ruhuna Kankanamage, Kottegoda Kankanage, Sembakutti Kankanamage, Kirti Kankanamage etc.

Kapuge Custodian of shrines and folk cult officiators. Extended forms are: Maha Kapuge, Kuda Kapuralalage, Kapuseekkuge, Sella Kapuge

Kodikarage, Kodippilige Custodian of the battle flags

Kodituvakkuge Gunner

Konda such as Weera Konda, Konda Perumal rachchig etc. Konda is another ancient royal clan of the Karavas.See Konda Karava

Koon such as Illangakoon meaning king of Lanka, Samarakoon meaning 'king of war', Weerakoon meaning 'brave king'and Wijekoon meaning 'victorious king'. Koon is another ancient royal clan of the Karavas and were known as Koon-Karava. Such Koon names were originally used only by Karava warrior families. These names were adopted by others during the colonial period through one or two families assuming new identities. The name of Karava King Wimaladharmasuriya I (1591-1604) before his coronation was Koon-Appu Bandara. Koon is a south Indian word for King and the Sri Lankan chronicle Rajavaliya says that Matara was given to Samarakoon Ralahami for exceptional valor at war. An Amarakoon Mudaliyar had been killed by other Karava Mudaliyars in Jaffna, for conspiring with the usurper Cankili II (Cosme 20). The Weerakoons of "Nupe House" are another Karava Koon family of Matara and It is believed that the original Illangakoone Mudalis of Matara were Karavas.

Kuru - Jayakuru, Kurumisa, Kuruneru, Kuru-utumpala, Kurunattu, Kurukularatne, Kurukulasuriya, Kurukulathar, Kurukulattan, Kurukula-Ittan, Kuru Vendar, Kurukula Vendar, Kurunchi Vanniar, Kuruveera, Kuruweera, Weera Sannaddha Weerabala Kuru Utumpala Mahabala Jayasuriyage etc. Althought a few modern scholars have expressed scepticism about the Kuru connections of the Karavas, these ancient 'Kuru' names and the naming of the earlyKarava settlements in Sri Lanka as Kuru Rata, Kurunegala, Aluth Kuru Korale etc, the name 'Kuruvita Rala' used by the Karava prince Antonio Baretto etc go towards confirming the Kuruconnections of the Karavas.

Liyanage / Lianage - Scribe. Writing chronicles, royal grants, correspondence and accounting of tax revenue, military expenditure etc.Centuries ago, when literacy wasnt as common as it is now such officials would undoubtedly have been the educated and intellectual class.

Extended forms are: Ambalangoda Liyanage, Jasentu Liyanage, Liyanarachchige, Loku Liyanage, Badda Liyanage, Balapitiya Liyanaralalage, Don Peduru Liyanage, Donvatta Liyanage, Hikkaduwa Liyanage, Jayasuriya Liyanage, Jayaweera Liyanage, Liyanachchige, Loku Liyanage, Lekamwasam Hikkaduwa Liyanage, Maha Liyanage, Tuse Perera Liyanaarachchiralalage.

Mandadige - Ministers or controllers of Trade in market towns. Extended forms are: Mah Mandadig, Migel Mandadig, Pla Mandadig, Phillippu Mandadig, Unga Mandadig and Vra Mandadig.For more information seeMandadige

Manavige / Malimige / Malavige- Captain of Ship / Yathra. From 'Maha Nevi' - Great Sailor. Varients are: Manavige, Malimige, Malimage, Malavige, Maalavige, Manamarakkalage, Goniya Malimige, Malimi Patabendige, Marakkala Malimige, Varusa Malimige, Wickramasuriya Maha Malimige.SeeMarakkalage for more information on this group of names.

Marakkalage - Ship / Yathra owner or Captain. Extended forms are: Maha Marakkalage, Arasa Marakkalage etc. For more information seeMarakkalage

Mestrige - Expert / Master. Extended forms are: Vadu Mestrige, Jayalath Vadu Mestrige, Varnakulasuriya Vadu Mestrige, Varnakulasuriya Patabendi Maha Vadu Maha Mestrige, Vidana Mestrige etc.

Mutu - Pearls. Extended forms are: Mutukudage, Mutumalage, Mutu Tantrige, Mutu Mantrige, Mutu Kumarage, Mutu Arasage, Mutu Mestrige, Mutu Weerage.

Patabendige- Kings, rulers, sub kings

For more information see Karava Kings

Rajapakse- Officers who were loyal to the king. However in later times the British too invested people with this name for loyalty to the King of England. Old Karava families who received the name from Sri Lankan monarchs hail from Batapola and Seeduwa.

Sattambige - Teacher. Extended forms are: Sattambige, Abaran Sattambige, Bandi Sattambige, Sattambiralalage etc.

Galappaththige / Galappathyge- .(some researchers derive this name fromGahapathi the ancient Sri Lankan name for ruler / king. Others think it is derived from 'Dalapati', the name for Naval commanders as used during the time of the Gajapathi rulers of Orissa)The extended forms are: Galappaththyge, Loku Galappaththige, Galappaththi Kankanamge, Galappaththi Arachchige, Abraham Galappaththige, Polwatte Galappaththige.

Gardia - . Guard regiment. A Portuguese name for Balage, Hennedige, Hewage etc. The extended forms are: Gardiyage, Gardiya Hewa, Gardiya Punchihewa, Gardiyawasam Lindamulage, Gardiyawasam Hewa Fonsekage Fonseka, Thakurartha Devaditya Gardiyawasam Lindamulage.

Ginige - . Custodian of fire. Prior to gunpowder and firearms it would have involved the fuel, firewood and fire making apparatus. Ginige, Giganage, Giganabadanage, Karigiganage

Hettige - Commercial pursuit -a trader: Francisku Hettige, Hettiakandage, Hettiarachchige, Hettihewage, Hettiya Patabendigeetc.

Hewage / Hevage / Hewa / Heva- Soldier. Extended forms are: Bala Hewa, Bindu Hewa, Balapeti Guardiya Hewa, Bentota Hewa, Galbokku Hewa, Guardiya Hewa, Guardiya Punchi Hewa, Guardiyavasam Hewage, Golu Hewage, Gam Hewage, Goda Hewa, Gammeda Hewa,Hetti Hewage, Henda Hewage (Henda from sannadda - armoured) , Juan Heva, Kanda uda Hewage, Kotte Hewage, Lama Hewa, Loku Satu Hewage, Kalutota Guardiya Punchi Hewa, Lorenzu Hewa, Kulugala Hewa, Kanaka Hewa, Kulasekera Bindu Hewa, Maduwe Heva (as in Avuda maduwa - weapons store), Militota Hewage, Moratuwa Hewage, Nalla Hewage, Naide Appu Hewa, Panadura Hewa, Paulu Hewage, Parana Hewage, Pattiya Guardiya Hewage, Punchi Hewa, Sella Hewa, Samara Hewa (Samara meant war), Sembakutti Hewa, Siman Hewa, Sarangu Hewa, Tota Hewa, Tennaide Hewa, Vija Hewage, Uluvisi Hewage, Welabada Hewa, Wickrema Kalutota Hewa, Wijehewa etc.

Kapuge Custodian of shrines and folk cult officiators. Extended forms are: Maha Kapuge, Kuda Kapuralalage, Kapuseekkuge, Sella Kapuge

Kodikarage, Kodippilige Custodian of the battle flags

Kodituvakkuge Gunner

Marakkalage - Ship / Yathra owner or Captain. Extended forms are: Maha Marakkalage, Arasa Marakkalage etc. For more information seeMarakkalage

Mestrige - Expert / Master. Extended forms are: Vadu Mestrige, Jayalath Vadu Mestrige, Varnakulasuriya Vadu Mestrige, Varnakulasuriya Patabendi Maha Vadu Maha Mestrige, Vidana Mestrige etc.

Mutu - Pearls. Extended forms are: Mutukudage, Mutumalage, Mutu Tantrige, Mutu Mantrige, Mutu Kumarage, Mutu Arasage, Mutu Mestrige, Mutu Weerage.

Patabendige- Kings, rulers, sub kings. For more information see Karava Kings

Sattambige - Teacher. Extended forms are: Sattambige, Abaran Sattambige, Bandi Sattambige, Sattambiralalage etc.

Senanayake Traditionally it meant a military leader, but it became a common name adopted by many during the British period. Karava families who used the name from the time of Sri Lankan kings mostly hail from Moratuwa and Chilaw.

Singhe, Sinha, Simha, Singam, Singai -Names ending with Singhe were exclusively Karava royal names when Sri Lanka was a kingdom. They were particularly prevalent in the Karava royal family of Jaffna. See names such as Singai Aryan, Ethirmanna Singam, Periya Pillai Singha , Ethirmanna Singam, Rajasinghe, Puvirajasinghe, Poologa Singhe, Puvimanasinghe, Tissaverasinghe, Tissavirasinghe in the Jaffna Royal family page.

During the 20^th century, the British liberally awarded Singhe names such as Abhayasinghe, Amarasinghe, Edirisinghe, Gunasinghe, Pamunusinghe (now Bamunusinghe), Ranasinghe, Samarasinghe, Weerasinghe, Wijesinghe etc. to hoards of urban Non-Karavas when appointing such individuals to various clerical and other petty officer positions serving the British crown. They have now become surnames for their Buddhist and Christian descendants. As Sri Lankan Hindus do not have hereditary surnames they use the Fathers first name as their last name. As such anyone is now free to use such Singhe names. Many of the families with Singhe names given by the British now call themselves Goigama although their ancestors were from various backgrounds. They claim that their Singhe names were given by Sinhala kings but none can be traced beyond the British period; the time when the Govigama urban identity group was created.

Suriya / Sooriya / Sooria / Suria- denoting Solar Dynasty ancestry. See Karava Suriya Clan names

Tantrige / Thanthrige / Tantulage / Thanthulage- From Tantra. Expert in military strategy / warfare. Extended forms are: Hewa Tantrige , Kariyawasam Tantrige, Kalu Tantrige, Kankani Tantrige, Tevara Tantrige, Mutu Tantrige, Munaweera (meaning foremost or leading hero) Tantrige, Vadu Tantrige, Vattoru Tantrige

Telge - Custodian of oil supplies for the armies. Extended forms are:Telge, Maha Telge, Kuda Telge

Tuppahige - Interpreter - derived from Portuguese Topas. Extended forms are: Manikkan Tuppahige, Manikka Tuppahige, Maiyapa Tuppahige, Tuppahiralalage, Salpadoru Tuppahige etc.

Vachchanattu Devage Meaning the Lord of Vacca country. This name may also be derived from Wattu. A Rajput tribe called Wattu still exists in the subcontinent. They claim descent from Rajpal the son of the Rajah of Sialkote. The Karava families who bear this name claim that they are descendants of vice regent Vachchanattu Devarir who arrived for the Mukkara Hatana. They are concentrated in Kalagedihena of Siyane Korale and Achchan Kulam in Jaffna.

Vaduge / Waduge Northerner, Nayaka dynasty - For more information seeKings of Kandy.

Varnakula Aditya Arasanilayitta - Meaning 'Varnakula Suriya the (holder of the post of )King'.

Vidanage / Vithanage / Vitharanage Civil officers who generally wielded considerable authority. Extended forms are:Bentota Vidanage, Denagama Vitharanage, Gintota sarukkali Vithanage, Jayamarakkala Vidanelage, Kottegoda Maha Vidanage, Kariya Wasam Vidanage, Gonapinuwala Vithanage, Lakshapathi Maha Vidanalage (This family claims descent from General Sri Lak Viaya Sinkith Senevi to whom King Nissankamalla granted the coconut plantation of Laxapatiya in Moratuwa. Ravatawatte too was included in the grant and is derived from Ravuth / Rajput / Ravath. The family took the surname de Mel on May 25, 1637 on convertion to Catholicism), Parana Vithanage, Henda Vitharana (Henda from sannadda - armoured), Sembakutti Vidanalage, Varusa Withanage (Also Varusawithana / Warusavithana. According to the lexicon of the University of Madras Varusa meant a distinctive mark of honour or privilege granted by a royal authority), Wijeratne Maha Vidanalage, Wijeweera Gunaratne Maha Vidana Muhandiramge, Vidanaralalage, Waniga Vitharanage, Rasamanukula Kurukula Adithya Colomba Mahapatabendi Maha Vidanage etc.

Vedage Expert in the Vedas. Extended forms are:Kalutara Vedage.The name Veediya Bandara too is a derived from Vedaya. Veda Vyasa is the name of the author of the Mahabharata of the Kauravas.

Warusa / Warsha / Varusa /Varsha According to the University of Madras Lexicon, Varusa meant a distinctive mark of honour or privilege granted by a royal authority. Extended forms are: Warusahennedige (descendants of General Manikkudeva Nallur Varusa Vipula Sannadda), Warshahennedige, Varusa Malimige, Warusa Marakkalage, Varusa Withanage, Varusawithana, Warusavithana,Warusa Vipula Sannadda Perumal Mahalena (The originator of the Karava De Soysa family)

Wattage / Wattege In modern Sinhalese 'Watta' means land but given the royal heritage of most other Karava names, these names could be the Sri lankan pronunciation ofWattu. A Rajput tribe called Wattu still exists in the subcontinent. They claim descent from Rajpal the son of the Rajah of Sialkote.

Extended forms are: Aranawatta (Arana Wattu - AKshatriya who has given up war) Vaduge, Kumaragewattege, Kotuwawattege, Pelawattege, Payagala Udawattege, Dadayakkaraudawattege, Daluwattege, Daluwatta Alanwa Dedimundage, Daluwatumulla Gamage, Dodamgoda Udawattege, Morawattege, Halpewattege, Wannakuwatta (Warnakula Wattu)Vaduge,

Wickramasinghe Traditionally it meant a war hero, but it became a common name adopted by many during the British period

Wijedoru Descendants of Arthadaksa Mudali who accompanied the sacred Bodhi tree and his grand son who was honoured with the title 'Mugavetti Perumalum'.

Surnames

Surnames are an European introduction to Sri Lanka and the use of surnames by Sri Lankans commenced during the 16th century Portuguese era. The Dutch and the British eras followed with their own influence on Sri Lankan personal names and surnames. The westernized elite of the period were the first to take on surnames. However it is important to note that most surnames of Sri Lankan families date from the British period - irrespective of whether they are Portuguese names such as Fernando or de Silva or derived from Sri Lankan roots. Surnames indicate the extent of westernization of a family and a large proportion of Sri Lankans still do not have surnames.

Some of the more popular surnames used by the Karavas are : de Fonseka, de Silva, de Mel, Fernando, Perera and Mendis. Unlike the Karava Ge names which are used exclusively by the Karavas these surnames are used by other Sri Lankan communities as well - with the exception of de Fonsekaand de Mell used only by the Karavas.

Many other Karava families have abbreviated and converted their ancestral 'Ge names' into Surnames. Many of these are 'Suriya', 'Suria', 'Sooriya', 'Sooria' surnames reminiscent of their Suriya clan names and Solar dynasty ancestries. The most prevalent Suriya surnames of the Karavas are:

Abesuriya (Abhaya = fearless)

Amarasuriya (Amara is another name for Indra the god of the Kshatriyas. Indra's capital is Amaravati)

Arasakulasuriya (Arasa = King. See clan description above)

Balasuriya (Bala = forces, army)

Baranasuriya (see clan description above)

Barathakulasuriya (see clan description above)

Dheerasuriya (Dhira = bold, courageous)

Edirisuriya / Ethirisuriya ( Ethiri = in front, foremost)

Ilangasuriya (Illanga = Sri Lanka)

Jayasuriya (jaya = victory)

Karnasuriya (Karna was the king of Anga. Another hero of the Mahabharata)

Kurukulasuriya (Kuru = Kaurava. See above)

Lokubalasuriya (Loku= senior; Bala=forces army)

Manukulasuriya (see clan description above)

Mihindukulasuriya (see clan description above)

Meghasuriyage (Indra the king of the Kshatriyas rode on the Megha cloud. God Indra is also found on Karava flags riding an elephant)

Mutumala Arasakulasuriya ( Descendants of prince Arsakulasuriya who helped King Wimaladharmasuriya to defeat King Rajasinghe. He was honoured by the king presenting his own pearl necklace),

Nagasuriya (Naga was an ancient clan as well as another name for the Elephant. And the Karava association with Hastinapur and the frequent use of the Elephant symbol by the Karavas of the past suggests that Naga in this name represented the Elephant. As such this is a synonym for Gajasurya and Gajabahu. According to history Gajabahu was the king who established large colonies of Karavas in the two Kuru Ratas of Sri Lanka)

Nilaweerasuriya (Nela=moon in Tamil ,denoting the lunar dynasty)

Rajasuriya (Raja = King)

Somasuriya (Soma =moon ,denoting the lunar dynasty)

Vipulasuriya (Vipula = The Earth )

Warnasuriya (as below)

Warnakulasuriya (see clan description above)

Weerasooriya (weera = brave)

Weera varna Jayasuriya

Weerawarna Jayasuriya

Wickramasuriya (Wickrama = illustrious)

Wijesuriya (see clan description above)

Weerawickrama Wijesuriyage (as above)

Weerawickramasuriya ( a branch of this family still hold the Maha Bethme Nilame post of the Sri Vishnu Devale in Kataragama. Another, Don Simon Abeysinghe Wickremeratne Weerawickramasuriya, was appointed a Mudali by the Dutch in 1766 when Magama was surrendered by Kirti Sri Rajasinghe )

Weerasannadhdha Weerabala Kuru Utumpala Mahabala Jayasuriyage

Wimalasuriya (Wimala = untainted, pure)

Except for two or three Suriya names such as Jayasuriya & Wijesuriya, taken by Govi caste families during the 20th century, Suriya surnames are exclusively Karava surnames.

Another group of karava surnames are the 'Ratne' names. They are analogous to some of the Karava Suriya surnames and are spelt as 'Ratna' by some families. However, they are not exclusive Karava names. Some of these are:

Arasakularatne (Arasa = King. see Arasakulasuriya clan description above)

Canakaratne / Canekaratne (Kanaka = gold)

Dayaratne (Daya = grace, compassion)

Dharmaratne (Dharma = virtuous, sacred law)

Gunaratne/ Gooneratne (Guna = superior qualities, Nobility)

Indraratne (Indra = Moon denoting Lunar dynasty)

Jayaratne (Jaya = victory)

Kularatne ( Kula = caste, clan)

Kurukularatne (See Kurukulasuriya clan description above)

Rajaratne (Raja = king)

Somaratne (Soma= Moon denoting Lunar dynasty)

Suwandaratne

Weeraratne (Vira = brave)

Wijayaratne (Vijaya = victorious)

Wimalaratne (Wimala = untainted, pure)

Wimalagunaratne (Wimalaguna = untainted/ pure qualities)

The ancestral flag of the Karava Arasakularatne clan from Maggona

The ancestral flag of the Karava Mihindukulasuriya clan from Chilaw

The flag of the Karava ‘Thakura Arta-deva Adithya’ clan from 20th century impressions of Ceylon. The colors of the stripes are blue, gold, red , white and purple. Colonel Olcott’s design for the Buddhist flag was based on this flag

Kshatriya Maha Sabha, Sri Lanka

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