Hegde or Heggade Pergade is a common surname found primarily in the Kanara, Tulu Nadu and Konkan regions of India.
Local chiefs who held administrative positions such as village headmen and superintendents were awarded the title of heggaḍe, which over time, became hereditary and evolved into a surname.
The Heggade, has its origins in the title of heggaḍe, which was equivalent to the guttedāra, a semi-feudal landlord who owned vast tracts of lands and collected revenue on behalf of the State.
The lands owned by the Heggades were leased out to tenants who cultivated food and cash crops, paying a portion of the produce as tax to the State.
The surname is also associated with the Havyaka Brahmins, who settled in Karnataka and assimilated into the Kannada population, and some Tulu Bunts who financially back and promote Yakshagana shows.