Arunachalam Family History

Indian (mainly Tamil Nadu): from a personal name common in the Deccan Plateau ultimately derived from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘hill of intense fire’ referring to the hill of Tiruvannamalai (revered by devotees of Shiva) in Tamil Nadu.

Hindu mythology has it that the hill is a physical manifestation of the god Shiva who appeared as a linga (pillar) of fire to intervene in a battle for supremacy between Lords Brahma and Vishnu.

— Note: Since South Indians traditionally do not have hereditary surnames this name was in most cases registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US.