Kamath

Kamath is a surname of Indian origin used by several communities in the Konkan and neighboring regions. It is most commonly found among Konkani- and Tulu-speaking populations in coastal Karnataka and Goa, and it also appears among Kannada- and Marathi-speaking communities in adjacent areas. In these traditions, Kamath has appeared in different spellings, including Kamath and Kamat, reflecting local pronunciation and script.

The precise origin and meaning of Kamath vary by community. In some contexts it has historically been used as a title or occupational designation related to village leadership, landholding, or administrative roles, though in modern usage it is primarily a hereditary family name.

Geographically, Kamath is concentrated in coastal districts of Karnataka (notably Dakshina Kannada and Udupi) and Goa, with significant diasporic communities in the Middle East, North America, Europe, and elsewhere due to migration. The surname is also found among Indian communities in other states through ongoing mobility and settlement.

In contemporary times, Kamath appears across multiple fields, including education, business, technology, and culture, reflecting its widespread distribution within Indian society. Variants such as Kamat, Kamate, and Kamath are encountered in genealogical and literary records, illustrating the name’s regional and linguistic diversity.