Sastri

Sastri is a surname and honorific used in parts of South Asia, most commonly among Brahmin communities in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Sri Lanka, as well as among the Indian diaspora. The term derives from the Sanskrit Shastri (Śāstrī), meaning a learned person or scholar, especially one skilled in the Shastras, which are scriptures and treatises. Historically, Shastris were priests, teachers, and scholars responsible for the study and transmission of Vedic and other scholarly literature.

As a surname, Sastri can be found with various regional spellings and pronunciations, including Shastri, Shastriya, and Sastry. The form often functions as an occupational or ceremonial title that became hereditary in some families, and in other cases is used as a simple family surname. In South Indian naming practices, it may appear as a suffix to a given name, reflecting Brahmin lineage and scholarly association.

Geographic distribution: In Tamil Nadu, Sastri is a common Brahmin surname; in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, it appears among Telugu- and Kannada-speaking communities; it is also found among Sri Lankan Tamils and among Indian migrants worldwide.

Notable individuals: Numerous scholars, educators, and professionals bear the surname Sastri. The name is widely represented in historical records and contemporary contexts.

See also: Shastri, Sastry, Shastrin.