> - Iyengar is not of Sanskrit origin. On the other hand the unambiguously Dalit surname Chamar is.
You are cherry-picking examples from my list to prove a point.
Furthermore, the etymology of 'Iyengar' is contested, and possibly cognate to the Sanskrit 'ārya'.
Perhaps I should clarify: there are always exceptions to the rule. However, I resolutely assert that Sanskrit-derived first and last names are markers of upper-caste ancestry. Yes, there are people of lower-caste with Sanskrit-derived names, and there are people with Dravidian/tribal names from so-called higher castes. That said, the latter is a highly unlikely combination.
You are cherry-picking examples from my list to prove a point.
Furthermore, the etymology of 'Iyengar' is contested, and possibly cognate to the Sanskrit 'ārya'.
Perhaps I should clarify: there are always exceptions to the rule. However, I resolutely assert that Sanskrit-derived first and last names are markers of upper-caste ancestry. Yes, there are people of lower-caste with Sanskrit-derived names, and there are people with Dravidian/tribal names from so-called higher castes. That said, the latter is a highly unlikely combination.