Surname Panje - Meaning and Origin
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Panje: What does the surname Panje mean?
The surname Panje is of Indian origin, primarily found in the coastal regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra. The exact meaning of Panje varies as it might possess different interpretations according to different regional languages and dialects. However, in the Kannada language, widely spoken in Karnataka, "Panje" roughly translates to "palm of the hand." It is believed to have been a name given to families or individuals known for their expertise and skills in hands-on trades or craftsmanship, symbolizing dexterity and resourcefulness. Please note that meanings of surnames can evolve over time and might not hold the same significance today as they originally did.
Order DNA origin analysisPanje: Where does the name Panje come from?
The last name Panje (also spelled Pange, Pansky, Panju, and Panjy) is most commonly found today in India and the Indian diaspora. Specifically, the longest concentrations of people with the Panje surname are found in the state of Maharashtra, which is located on the west coast of India, the western state of Gujarat, and the capital city of Delhi.
The last name is believed to have originated in the 16th century from the Panthi people, a sub-group of the Marathas who mainly hail from the Delhi region and are adherents to the Nath Sampradaya, a Hindu religious tradition. It is believed that the Panju family was of the Rajput group of the Kshatriyas, a Hindu caste system group. The Panju family was also actively involved in the Mughal court and were advisors to the Mughal emperors. As members of the administrative class, they were well respected and were conferred with many titles, such as Mughal Sardar, Anuwadak, and Wakoji.
Today, the Panje surname is also used by those descended from African-Indian origins, whose ancestors were brought to India by the Portuguese in the early 16th century and settled in the Goa region, and later spread to the Karnataka area in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Outside of India, the Panje surname can also be found in smaller numbers in countries with large Indian diaspora populations such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Panje
The surname Panje is an Indian name that originated from the Karnataka region. Spellings and variants of the surname include Panc, Pandji, Pandt, Pandge, Pant, Pande, Panche and Pandey. Surnames with the same origin or related to Panje could include Pundé, Pandy, Punday, Pañdav, Pundia, Pandiva, Panday and Pandu.
The Pandy aetonym is common in Gujarat and Maharashtra states and is derived from the same origin as Panje. Panje is also related to, Pañdav, an aetonym used in Jainism to refer to the five Pandava brothers, protagonists of the Indian epic Mahabharata. Pundé is commonly found in northern Indian states and variations of this synonymous include Pundiao and Pundia.
Pandiva is a variant found in Maharashtra and is believed to be derived from the historical characterPandu, known for being the father of the Pandavas mentioned above. The Pandey surname is also a variant of Panje, mostly found in North India and is believed to be derived from another historical character in the Mahabharata.
Panday is found mostly in east and northeastern India, believed to have derived from the historical character, Drupada. Lastly, Pandu is found in South India and is often used as a nickname of sorts, derived from the older aetonym Pandava. All of these surnames are believed to have shared the same origin as Panje and have similarities in name origin and variations in spelling or pronunciation.
Famous people with the name Panje
- KEM PAHNEE: He was a 19th century Palengan trad fixer in Sumatra, Indonesia.
- DEWEY PANJE: He was an American jazz drummer born in The Bronx, New York.
- BRIAN PANJE: He is an American entrepreneur and venture capitalist who co-founded and led several technology and financial services companies.
- TIM PANJE: He is an American actor, known primarily for his roles on television.
- EMILY PANJE: She is an American violinist and a member of Camerata Pacifica, a chamber music group.
- GEORGE PANJE: He is a former footballer who is best known for his tenure at English club Watford, where he holds the record of being the longest serving player at the club.
- DR. JOHN PANJE: He is a reputable pediatrician in Boulder, Colorado who has been in practice since 1993.
- MAUREEN PANJE: She is a former schoolteacher who is now an active and influential philanthropist.
- LEVIN PANJE: He is a prominent Russian lawyer with a long and successful career in representing individuals and companies in dispute resolution.