Manipuri Brahmin Surnames

Dev Sharma *

The recognition of Brahmin immigrants and conferring their occupational surnames (locally called yumnaks) in Manipur started from the 15th century AD. These immigrant Brahmins initially had surnames like Mishra (Maithili Brahmin origin), Chatterjee, Mukherjee (Bengali Brahmin origin), etc.

After their settlements in Manipur in different waves under the authority of the kings, they were given new surnames based on their occupations.

These newly conferred surnames have replaced their previous ones and adopted a new naming system which can be used to trace their respective Brahmin gotras. Presently there are around thirty Manipuri Brahmin occupational surnames or yumnaks.

All Manipuri Brahmins (also known as Meitei Brahmins or Bamons) also have two common last surnames, that is, a Manipuri Brahmin either has Sharma (for both males and females) or Devi (for females) as his / her last surname.

Therefore, Manipuri Brahmins use two surnames: their respective occupational surnames or yumnaks usually as first surnames, persons' names in the middle and either Sharma (for both genders) or Devi (for females only) as last surnames (females may use either Sharma or Devi).

Most Common Manipuri Brahmin Surnames :-

Last Surnames:
Sharma (for both genders) and Devi (for females).

First Surnames or Yumnaks:

A
*Acharyamayum
*Adhikarimayum
*Anoubam
*Aribam

B
*Bachaspatimayum
*Bishnulatpam
*Brahmacharimayum
*Brajabashimayum

C
*Choudhurimayum

G
*Gotimayum
*Guruaribam
*Gurumayum

H
*Hajarimayum
*Hanjabam
*Hidangmayum

K
*Kakchingtabam
*Kongbrailatpam

L
*Laimayum
*Laipubam
*Leihaothabam
*Loubuktongbam

M
*Manoharmayum
*Mathurabashimayum

P
*Phurailatpam
*Pandamayum

S
*Sanglakpam
*Shamurailatpam
*Shijagurumayum
*Shreemayum

T
*Takhelchangbam
*Thongratabam