There are a number of derivations for the title. One theory derives it from the Tamil word Kaamindan, meaning "noble protector of the country", later modified as Kavundan or Gounder.[6]
According to S. N. Sadasivan, some of these Vellalars branched off from the Vokkaligas and both might have a common origin from the Kurumba.[7]
History
During the British Raj era, some Gounders migrated to Malayan rubber plantations as Kanganis to manage the coolies.[8]
^Chennakrishnaiah, Shilpa (2011). Analysis of Y-chromosome Diversity in Lingayat and Vokkaliga Populations of Southern India (Thesis). Florida International University. doi:10.25148/etd.fi11072506.
^List of subcastes(PDF) (Report). Government of Tamil Nadu. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
^Madhvan, Karthik (2 August 2008). "Steeped in history". Frontline. Chennai, India: The Hindu Group. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
^Sadasivan, S. N (2000). A social history of India. New Delhi, India: APH Pub. Corp. p. 254. ISBN9788176481700. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2021. In all probability the Tamil Kavandans or Goundans might have branched of from them and both might be descendants of Kurumbas of yore.