Origin of Dash & Das surname & caste

Surname(उपनाम/कुलनाम ) and Title(उपाधि/पदवी):-
Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, physical characteristics, etc. Surnames (उपनाम/कुलनाम )and titles (उपाधि/पदवी)or decorations used along with the proper names commonly added at the end of the names - are either genealogical or professional and sometimes topographical.

The genealogical surname has been in use from generation to generation and it is generally family names some of which may even have been personal names. Professional names have also been adopted as family names and are regularly used as surnames.

It has been a practice for quite a few centuries to award titles (उपाधि/पदवी)to persons who occupy positions of distinction in intelligence, learning, wealth, honor, etc. Persons who have rendered meritorious service to the country have also been awarded titles that have gone down from generation to generation and thus got absorbed as family names or surnames.

 Indian history from pre-Mughal days has shown that the ruling Hindu Kings had awarded titles to persons and families for either meritorious service to the country or for leadership in society. This practice has been followed by the Pathan and the Mughal rulers and by their successors, the British as well. Even in independent India, the Presidential awards on Republic day are a continuation of the old practice of honoring persons for their service to the country.

All the leaves of the inverted Ashvattha (अश्वत्थ) tree, regardless of their size or position, are considered equal. Similarly, all human beings are held in equal esteem, irrespective of variations in their roles and positions.

Dash or Das surname/Title:-
Das or Dash( Hindi:दास)(Bengali: দাস)(Odia:ଦାଶ)  is a surname (उपनाम/कुलनाम ) mostly found in Odisha, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab and rarely found in other parts of India and abroad.
Origin & history of Dash/Das Surname.
Dash/Das ( Hindi:दास)(Bengali: দাস)(Odia:ଦାଶ) is derived from the Sanskrit word Dasa meaning servant of God, devotee, or votary.

Das Title:-
In Vaishnavism, the title "Das" originates from the concept of Dasya, embodying the devoted service to God with profound devotion, recognizing God as the master and oneself as a humble servant.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, an incarnation of God and a Vedic spiritual leader, established Gaudiya Vaishnavism and initiated the Sankirtana movement during the 16th century in the Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha regions. During this era, communities, regardless of caste or creed, devoted to Lord Vishnu or his incarnations, were bestowed with the title "Das" (उपाधि). Similarly, followers and priests of Shri Ram Chandra were also honored with the Das title (उपाधि).

Hari Om Jap

वेद,और अग्नि पुराण के अनुसार,हरी ओम मंत्र के जप से:

 व्यक्ति का पाप नाश होता है और उसे मोक्ष की प्राप्ति होती है।

Over time, this title transformed into a hereditary surname (उपनाम/कुलनाम), passed down through subsequent generations. Presently, the tradition of conferring the Dasa title upon devotees of God Sri Krishna by certain religious organizations persists as a continuation of the age-old practice, recognizing individuals for their dedicated service to God Sri Krishna. 

दास्य: ईश्वर को स्वामी और अपने को दास समझकर परम श्रद्धा के साथ सेवा करना।
 Dasya: To serve God with utmost devotion considering God as master and oneself as slave.

                                          

 Now Das surname is found among Brahmin, Maulika Kayastha, Kaibarta (Keot), Mahishya, Bania of Bengal & Asam, and many other communities of Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh and neighboring country Bangladesh.

It is relevant to mention here Dash alternative spelling Das is neither caste nor a family. It is only a title(उपाधि/पदवी)। यह केवल एक उपाधि/पदवी है। Das surname is also used by many devotees," or "votary of Sikhism.

Dasi (women servant of Krishna) tile: In Vaishnavism, the title "Dasi" is bestowed upon women from all communities, regardless of caste or creed, who willingly embrace servitude to Lord Vishnu or His incarnations (avatars).

Dash Title among Utkala Brahmins:-
Dash is an Utkal Brahmin surname and belongs to the Kanyakubja origin. There are two theories about how this title (surname) has been evolved. The first one says that Dash title was  conferred  to the Brahmins who could easily memorize 10 granthas (books) assigned to Vedas especially Shukla Yajurveda. 

These 10 granthas are Kaanva Samhita, Kanva Shatapatha Brahmana, Bruhadaaranyakam, Ishavasya Upanishad, and 6 Vedangas (Chhandas, Kalpa, Nirukta, Vyakarana, Shiksha, Jyotisha) दशः ग्रन्थाध्ययिन् दाशः-ଦଶଃ ଗ୍ରନ୍ଥାଧ୍ୟାୟିନ୍ ଦାଶ, and the other story is that the Utkal Brahmins who had accepted servitude to Lord Jagannath or the votary (सेवक) of Lord Jagannath were awarded Dash title. 

 In the course of time, this title(उपाधि) became the surname(उपनाम/कुलनाम ) and the later generations inherited it. Now Dash or alternative spelling Das (West Bengal) titles are mostly found in Odisha, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and rarely found in other parts of India and abroad among Utkal Brahmins.

सनकादि ऋषियों का एक सिद्ध चमत्कारी 

मंत्र-  हरि शरणम

I dedicate this article to my son late ৺ Akash, 

author of Waybackpy,Videohash, etc.

Appreciation Mail of  Jeremie Lumbroso
 lecturer Princeton University. USA

READ>Utkala Brahmin : उत्कल ब्राह्मण: ଉତ୍କଳ ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣ: উৎকল ব্রাহ্মণ:-

Read>जनेऊ या यज्ञोपवीत धारण विधि।

Read>পৈতা পরার (পাল্টানোর) নিয়ম ও মন্ত্র।

Comment of Author:-
This article has been penned under the divine inspiration of Lord Jagannath. If anybody or any organization doesn't agree with any content of this article, he or they may mention it in the comments with documentary evidence and it will be corrected. Any comments in this regard without documentary evidence and source of Information will be treated as mala fide and will be deleted.
Reference-
1. Wikipedia.
2.The genesis of Utkal Brahmin.
3.Collection of information from Utkal Brahmin scholars.
For more information about Utkala Brahman Dash or Das, you may read the Genesis of Utkal Brahman.

To read Genesis of Utkal Brahmin click on~ Utkal Brahmin

Prabir is an Indian author who was born into a Utkal Brahmin family in the Indian state of West Bengal. He is known for his books, which are sold through Amazon.com, Flipkart.com, and Abebooks.com. Prabir is known for his genre/style of writing and has gained a dedicated following of readers who appreciate his unique perspective/engaging storytelling/etc. Prabir  has a passion for writing and has dedicated his career to creating engaging and thought-provoking works for his readers. His books and articles cover a wide range of genres and topics, and he is highly popular within the intellectual community for his contributions.

प्रबीर  एक भारतीय लेखक हैं। उनका जन्म भारतीय राज्य पश्चिम बंगाल में एक उत्कल ब्राह्मण परिवार में हुआ था। उनकी किताबें Amazon.com,flipkart.com और abebooks.com के जरिए बेची जाती हैं। 12 लाख से अधिक लोगों ने उनकी किताबें और लेख पढ़े हैं।