Kulkarni

Kulkarni Marathi-(कुलकर्णी/कुळकर्णी) is a common Brahmin family name in the southern Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra regions of India.

The name Kulkarni is believed to be a combination of two words (kula and karani). Kula means the root of the family, and Karanika means one who maintains records or accounts. Traditionally, Kulkarni was a title used for people who used to maintain the accounts and records of the villages and used to collect taxes. The title of the Kulkarni was later replaced by the Talati. The Kulkarni Watan was abolished in 1920 and paid Talatis from all castes were appointed to the new office of the Talati. In some cases, the Talatis were the oppressed castes and the abolishing of the Kulkarni Watan system was viewed as a progressive move.

Most Kulkarnis belong to the oldest and the original Brahmin caste of Karnataka and Maharastra, the Deshastha Brahmins. The surname is also found amongst Karhade Brahmin, and the CKP, GSB and Daivajna communities of Maharashtra. In Madhya pradesh Kulkarni is common surname among Vaisnavas/Madhwa & Smartha(Shaiva) Brahmins.

Kulkarni families who hail from Northern Karnataka speak Kannada while those from Maharastra speak Marathi. Most Kulkarni families originate from Maharashtra or northern Karnataka but in more recent times migrated and settled all over the world.