Gowda (surname)

Gowda (also known as Gauda, Goud, Gouda or Gonda) is a surname native to Karnataka state of India. It is mainly found among the Vokkaligas in South Karnataka, Kurubas and the Lingayats in north Karnataka. It is also used by other communities like Namadhari Naiks, Billavas. Gowda was originally an honorific used by the administrative head of a village. Typically, such a head owned land and held political and social sway in the village. Among Kurubas, it was used to refer to the head of the community.