Indian last names, or surnames, tell us a lot about who we are and where we come from. Each name has its own special meaning, often connected to what our ancestors did for a living, where they lived, their family lineage, religion, or social status. For example, names like “Sharma” are linked to scholars, “Singh” to warriors, and “Patel” to landowners.
In this list of over 200 Indian surnames, we’ll take a closer look at the stories behind each name. From names that tell us about professions, like “Choudhary” meaning a village head, to names that hint at where a family comes from, like “Kumar,” these surnames reflect India’s diverse and fascinating history. Get ready to explore the meanings behind some of the most common and unique Indian last names, and learn how they’ve been passed down through generations!
History and Origins of Indian Surnames
Indian surnames, or last names, carry a rich and diverse history, reflecting the nation’s cultural, geographical, and social complexities. These surnames often derive from various sources such as profession, geographical location, ancestry, and religion, offering insights into a person’s heritage.
- Profession – Many Indian surnames are linked to the professions or occupations of ancestors. For instance, “Sharma” refers to a scholar, while “Patel” denotes a village headman or landowner.
- Geographical Origin – Some surnames are tied to the geographical locations of families. For example, “Mathur” indicates someone originating from Mathura, and “Kashyap” refers to those from the Kashyap clan.
- Ancestry – Many surnames signify ancestral lineage or caste. “Yadav” refers to individuals from the Yadav community, while “Brahmin” highlights a person’s belonging to the Brahmin caste.
- Religion – Religion also plays a significant role in surname formation. For example, “Singh” is commonly used by Sikhs, symbolizing valor, while “Mukherjee” is prevalent among Bengali Hindus.
Most Popular and Common Indian Last Names or Surnames
North Indian Last Names or Surnames
1. Agarwal
Agarwal, a Jain surname, derives from the ancient city of Agar Sen’s former capital, Agroha. The Agarwals are a prominent mercantile community in India.
2. Sharma
Sharma is a common North Indian surname among Brahmins. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Sharma,” meaning “shelter” or “protection,” signifying a person of learned status.
3. Gupta
Gupta is a North Indian surname associated with the merchant and business community. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Gupta,” meaning “protected” or “secret.”
4. Verma
Verma is a surname found primarily in North India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Varman,” meaning “shield” or “armor,” signifying a person who offers protection.
5. Yadav
Yadav is a surname common among communities in North India, particularly among those claiming descent from the Yadu dynasty. It is derived from the name of a Yadu king.
6. Singh
Singh is a widely used North Indian surname, particularly among Sikhs and Rajputs. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Simha,” meaning “lion,” indicating bravery and strength.
7. Kumar
Kumar is a common surname in North India, derived from the Sanskrit word “Kumara,” meaning “prince” or “young man,” often used as a general title of respect.
8. Jain
Jain is a surname used by followers of Jainism. It reflects adherence to Jain principles and often signifies a person belonging to the Jain community.
9. Chaudhary
Chaudhary is a North Indian surname denoting a person who was historically a landowner or village headman. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Chaudhary,” meaning “chief.”
10. Bhargava
Bhargava is a North Indian surname derived from the Sanskrit word “Bhargava,” meaning “descendant of Bhrigu,” a revered sage in Hindu tradition.
11. Kashyap
Kashyap is a surname among Brahmins and other communities in North India. It is derived from the name of the sage Kashyapa, a prominent figure in Hindu mythology.
12. Saxena
Saxena is a North Indian surname, predominantly among Brahmins. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Saxena,” meaning “one who is knowledgeable” or “learned.”
13. Reddy
Reddy is a surname found in North India, especially in Uttar Pradesh. It signifies a person of high social status or landownership.
14. Bansal
Bansal is a North Indian surname associated with the business community. It is derived from the name of a village or family lineage.
15. Ahuja
Ahuja is a surname found in North India, especially among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or clan.
16. Garg
Garg is a North Indian surname found among Brahmins. It is derived from the name of the sage Garg, signifying scholarly or priestly status.
17. Malhotra
Malhotra is a North Indian surname, particularly among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or clan.
18. Dhingra
Dhingra is a North Indian surname found among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
19. Kapoor
Kapoor is a surname common among Punjabis and North Indians. It is derived from the Persian word “Kapur,” meaning “camphor,” often associated with wealth or trade.
20. Mehra
Mehra is a North Indian surname, particularly among Punjabis. It is derived from the Persian word “Mehr,” meaning “sun” or “love.”
21. Sethi
Sethi is a North Indian surname found among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
22. Juneja
Juneja is a North Indian surname, especially among Punjabis. It signifies a person associated with the region of Junagadh or a related family name.
23. Bedi
Bedi is a North Indian surname, particularly among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
24. Puri
Puri is a surname found in North India, especially among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or region.
25. Arora
Arora is a North Indian surname, especially common among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or clan.
26. Khurana
Khurana is a North Indian surname, particularly among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
27. Goel
Goel is a North Indian surname found among the business community. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Goela,” meaning “merchant.”
28. Kohli
Kohli is a surname used primarily in North India. It is derived from the name of a clan or family lineage.
29. Mittal
Mittal is a North Indian surname found predominantly among the business community. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
30. Arora
Arora is a surname found in North India, particularly among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
31. Bali
Bali is a North Indian surname, especially among Punjabis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Bali,” meaning “sacrifice” or “offering.”
32. Pahwa
Pahwa is a North Indian surname, particularly among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
33. Bhalla
Bhalla is a North Indian surname, especially common among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
34. Luthra
Luthra is a North Indian surname, particularly among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
35. Sabharwal
Sabharwal is a North Indian surname found among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or clan.
36. Kalra
Kalra is a North Indian surname, especially common among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
37. Bhatia
Bhatia is a North Indian surname, particularly among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
38. Sachdeva
Sachdeva is a North Indian surname found among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
39. Khanna
Khanna is a North Indian surname, especially among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
40. Suri
Suri is a North Indian surname, particularly among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
41. Bedi
Bedi is a North Indian surname found among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
42. Kapur
Kapur is a North Indian surname, especially common among Punjabis. It is derived from the Persian word “Kapur,” meaning “camphor.”
43. Sareen
Sareen is a North Indian surname, particularly among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
44. Chandhok
Chandhok is a North Indian surname found among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
45. Suri
Suri is a surname found in North India, especially among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or clan.
46. Nagpal
Nagpal is a North Indian surname, particularly among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
47. Dagar
Dagar is a North Indian surname, especially among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
48. Tandon
Tandon is a North Indian surname, particularly among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
49. Jain
Jain is a North Indian surname used by followers of Jainism. It signifies adherence to Jain principles and often indicates a person from the Jain community.
50. Malhotra
Malhotra is a North Indian surname found predominantly among Punjabis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
South Indian Last Names or Surnames
1. Reddy
Reddy is a South Indian surname, particularly among Telugu communities. It signifies a person of high social status or landownership.
2. Nair
Nair is a South Indian surname, especially among the Nair community in Kerala. It historically denotes a person of high social and military status.
3. Pillai
Pillai is a South Indian surname common in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is derived from the Tamil word “Pillai,” meaning “child” or “descendant.”
4. Iyer
Iyer is a South Indian surname found predominantly among Tamil Brahmins. It is derived from the Tamil word “Iyer,” meaning “respectable person.”
5. Iyengar
Iyengar is a South Indian surname among Tamil and Kannada communities. It is derived from the Tamil word “Iyengar,” meaning “one who is devoted” or “learned.”
6
. Shetty
Shetty is a South Indian surname, especially common among communities in Karnataka and Maharashtra. It is derived from the Kannada word “Shetty,” meaning “merchant.”
7. Naidu
Naidu is a South Indian surname, particularly among Telugu and Tamil communities. It signifies a person of high status or leadership.
8. Menon
Menon is a South Indian surname, especially among Malayalis in Kerala. It is derived from the title “Menon,” meaning “leader” or “chief.”
9. Rao
Rao is a South Indian surname found among Telugu and Kannada communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Rao,” meaning “king” or “ruler.”
10. Kumar
Kumar is a South Indian surname, commonly used across various communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Kumara,” meaning “prince” or “young man.”
11. Das
Das is a South Indian surname found among various communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Das,” meaning “servant” or “devotee.”
12. Bhat
Bhat is a South Indian surname found among Brahmins. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Bhat,” meaning “priest” or “scholar.”
13. Hegde
Hegde is a South Indian surname, particularly among communities in Karnataka. It signifies a person who was historically a landowner or village headman.
14. Kamat
Kamat is a South Indian surname found in Goa and Karnataka. It signifies a person associated with a particular family or lineage.
15. Borkar
Borkar is a South Indian surname, especially common among Konkani communities. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
16. Patil
Patil is a South Indian surname found in Maharashtra and Karnataka. It signifies a person who was historically a village headman or landowner.
17. Acharya
Acharya is a South Indian surname, particularly among Brahmins. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Acharya,” meaning “teacher” or “preceptor.”
18. Keshav
Keshav is a South Indian surname, particularly among Kannada and Telugu communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit name “Keshava,” meaning “one with long hair.”
19. Prabhu
Prabhu is a South Indian surname found among various communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Prabhu,” meaning “lord” or “master.”
Did you know?
In Tamil tradition, people don’t use surnames or last names . Instead, they use their father’s name after their first name.
20. Chandra
Chandra is a South Indian surname found among Tamil and Kannada communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Chandra,” meaning “moon.”
21. Kulkarni
Kulkarni is a South Indian surname, especially common in Karnataka. It signifies a person who was historically a clerk or record-keeper.
22. Raju
Raju is a South Indian surname found predominantly among Telugu and Tamil communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Raja,” meaning “king” or “prince.”
23. Subramanian
Subramanian is a South Indian surname, especially among Tamil Brahmins. It is derived from the name of the deity Subramanya, meaning “youthful.”
24. Nair
Nair is a South Indian surname, particularly among Malayalis in Kerala. It signifies a person of high social and military status.
25. Ayyar
Ayyar is a South Indian surname found among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the Tamil word “Ayyar,” meaning “noble” or “respected.”
26. Purohit
Purohit is a South Indian surname found among Brahmins. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Purohit,” meaning “priest” or “ritualistic scholar.”
27. Kulkarni
Kulkarni is a South Indian surname, especially common in Maharashtra. It signifies a person who was historically a clerk or record-keeper.
28. Suryanarayanan
Suryanarayanan is a South Indian surname, particularly among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Suryanarayana,” meaning “sun god.”
29. Rao
Rao is a South Indian surname found among Telugu and Kannada communities. It signifies a person of high social status or leadership.
30. Yadav
Yadav is a South Indian surname, particularly among Telugu and Tamil communities. It signifies a person of high status or landownership.
31. Rajan
Rajan is a South Indian surname found among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Rajan,” meaning “king” or “ruler.”
32. Murthy
Murthy is a South Indian surname, especially common among Telugu and Kannada communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Murthy,” meaning “idol” or “image.”
33. Sundaram
Sundaram is a South Indian surname found among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Sundaram,” meaning “beautiful” or “handsome.”
34. Prasad
Prasad is a South Indian surname, especially common in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Prasad,” meaning “grace” or “offering.”
35. Kiran
Kiran is a South Indian surname found among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Kiran,” meaning “ray” or “beam of light.”
36. Chidambaram
Chidambaram is a South Indian surname, especially among Tamil communities. It is derived from the name of the town of Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu.
37. Srinivasan
Srinivasan is a South Indian surname found among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Srinivasan,” meaning “abode of wealth.”
38. Dharmarajan
Dharmarajan is a South Indian surname found among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Dharmarajan,” meaning “king of righteousness.”
39. Raghavan
Raghavan is a South Indian surname, particularly among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the name of the deity Raghava, meaning “descendant of the Raghu dynasty.”
40. Ananthan
Ananthan is a South Indian surname found among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Anantha,” meaning “endless” or “eternal.”
41. Balakrishnan
Balakrishnan is a South Indian surname found among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit name “Balakrishna,” meaning “young Krishna.”
42. Venkatesh
Venkatesh is a South Indian surname, especially among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the name of the deity Venkateshwara, meaning “one who removes sins.”
43. Nambiar
Nambiar is a South Indian surname found among Malayalis in Kerala. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
44. Gopal
Gopal is a South Indian surname found among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Gopal,” meaning “protector of cows.”
45. Naik
Naik is a South Indian surname, particularly among Kannada and Telugu communities. It signifies a person of high status or military rank.
46. Murali
Murali is a South Indian surname found among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Murali,” meaning “flute.”
47. Sankaran
Sankaran is a South Indian surname, especially among Tamil Brahmins. It is derived from the name of the deity Sankara, meaning “auspicious.”
48. Sampath
Sampath is a South Indian surname found among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Sampath,” meaning “wealth” or “prosperity.”
49. Ranganathan
Ranganathan is a South Indian surname, especially among Tamil communities. It is derived from the name of the deity Ranganatha, meaning “one who is supreme.”
50. Seshadri
Seshadri is a South Indian surname found among Tamil and Telugu communities. It is derived from the name of the deity Seshadri, meaning “one who holds the mountain.”
East Indian Last Names or Surnames
1. Chatterjee
Chatterjee is a prominent East Indian surname, particularly among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Chattopadhyay,” signifying a learned scholar or teacher.
2. Mukherjee
Mukherjee is an East Indian surname, especially common among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Mukhopadhyay,” meaning “one who has a prominent face.”
Quick Fact:
The British changed some Indian surnames to make them easier to say. For example, Chattopadhyay became Chatterjee, Mukhopadhyay became Mukherjee, and Bhattacharya became Bhattacharjee.
3. Das
Das is an East Indian surname commonly found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Das,” meaning “servant” or “devotee.”
4. Sen
Sen is an East Indian surname, particularly among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Sen,” meaning “army” or “leader.”
5. Banerjee
Banerjee is an East Indian surname, especially common among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Banerjee,” meaning “a person from the Banarjee family.”
6. Roy
Roy is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis and other communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Raya,” meaning “king” or “noble.”
7. Bhattacharya
Bhattacharya is an East Indian surname, particularly among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Bhattacharya,” meaning “one who is a learned scholar.”
8. Ghosh
Ghosh is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Ghosha,” meaning “sound” or “reverberation.”
9. Dey
Dey is an East Indian surname, especially common among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Dey,” meaning “giver” or “benefactor.”
10. Saha
Saha is an East Indian surname, particularly among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Saha,” meaning “one who is patient” or “endurer.”
11. Choudhury
Choudhury is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Chaudhary,” meaning “chief” or “headman.”
12. Agarwal
Agarwal is an East Indian surname derived from the ancient city of Agroha. The Agarwals are a prominent mercantile community in India.
13. Nag
Nag is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis and Biharis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Nag,” meaning “serpent” or “snake.”
14. Kar
Kar is an East Indian surname, especially among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Kar,” meaning “one who performs actions.”
15. Bhattacharya
Bhattacharya is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Bhattacharya,” meaning “one who is learned in the Vedas.”
16. Majumdar
Majumdar is an East Indian surname, particularly among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Majumdar,” meaning “one who is a landowner.”
17. Sanyal
Sanyal is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Sanyal,” meaning “one who is devoted to the study of scriptures.”
18. Biswas
Biswas is an East Indian surname, especially common among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Biswas,” meaning “faith” or “trust.”
19. Bhattacharya
Bhattacharya is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Bhattacharya,” meaning “one who is learned and respected.”
20. Dutta
Dutta is an East Indian surname, particularly among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Dutta,” meaning “given” or “granted.”
21. Choudhury
Choudhury is an East Indian surname, found among Bengalis and Biharis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Chaudhary,” meaning “one who is in charge.”
22. Saha
Saha is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Saha,” meaning “one who is patient.”
23. Gupta
Gupta is an East Indian surname associated with the mercantile community. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Gupta,” meaning “protected” or “secret.”
24. Banerjee
Banerjee is an East Indian surname, particularly common among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Banerjee,” signifying a person from a learned family.
25. Sarkar
Sarkar is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis and Biharis. It is derived from the Persian word “Sarkar,” meaning “official” or “leader.”
26. Dasgupta
Dasgupta is an East Indian surname, especially common among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Dasgupta,” meaning “one who is a servant of the Gupta family.”
27. Ray
Ray is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Raya,” meaning “king” or “noble.”
28. Kar
Kar is an East Indian surname, especially among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Kar,” meaning “one who performs actions.”
29. Majumdar
Majumdar is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Majumdar,” meaning “one who is a landowner.”
30. Deb
Deb is an East Indian surname, particularly common among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Deb,” meaning “god” or “deity.”
31. Chatterjee
Chatterjee is a prominent East Indian surname, particularly among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Chattopadhyay,” meaning “learned scholar.”
32. Ghoshal
Ghoshal is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Ghoshal,” meaning “one who is a scholar or teacher.”
33. Bagchi
Bagchi is an East Indian surname, especially common among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Bagchi,” meaning “one who is a merchant or trader.”
34. Sanyal
Sanyal is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Sanyal,” meaning “one who is a devotee of the scriptures.”
35. Bandyopadhyay
Bandyopadhyay is an East Indian surname, particularly common among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Bandyopadhyay,” meaning “one who is learned in the Vedas.”
36. Maitra
Maitra is an East Indian surname, especially among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Maitra,” meaning “friend” or “companion.”
37. Ghosh
Ghosh is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Ghosh,” meaning “sound” or “reverberation.”
38. Chakraborty
Chakraborty is an East Indian surname, particularly among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Chakraborty,” meaning “one who rules over the wheel.”
39. Ganguly
Ganguly is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
40. Bhattacharya
Bhattacharya is an East Indian surname, especially common among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Bhattacharya,” meaning “one who is learned in the scriptures.”
41. Debnath
Debnath is an East Indian surname, particularly among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Debnath,” meaning “lord of the gods.”
42. Manna
Manna is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Manna,” meaning “one who is cherished or loved.”
43. Dutta
Dutta is an East Indian surname, especially common among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Dutta,” meaning “given” or “granted.”
44. Chakraborty
Chakraborty is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Chakraborty,” meaning “one who is a ruler.”
45. Maitra
Maitra is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Maitra,” meaning “friend” or “companion.”
46. Ghoshal
Ghoshal is an East Indian surname, especially common among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Ghoshal,” meaning “one who is a scholar.”
47. Bandyopadhyay
Bandyopadhyay is an East Indian surname, particularly common among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Bandyopadhyay,” meaning “one who is learned.”
48. Chakraborty
Chakraborty is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Chakraborty,” meaning “one who is a ruler.”
49. Ghosh
Ghosh is an East Indian surname, especially among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Ghosh,” meaning “sound.”
50. Banerjee
Banerjee is an East Indian surname found among Bengalis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Banerjee,” meaning “a learned scholar.”
West Indian Last Names or Surnames
1. Patel
Patel is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It signifies a person who was historically a village headman or landowner.
2. Desai
Desai is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It is derived from the title “Desai,” meaning “village headman” or “administrator.”
3. Shah
Shah is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis and Marwaris. It is derived from the Persian word “Shah,” meaning “king” or “ruler.”
4. Mehta
Mehta is a West Indian surname found among Gujaratis. It signifies a person who was historically a scholar or administrator.
5. Thakkar
Thakkar is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It is derived from the title “Thakkar,” meaning
“merchant” or “trader.”
6. Bhardwaj
Bhardwaj is a West Indian surname found among Gujaratis and other communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Bhardwaj,” meaning “one who is a sage or scholar.”
7. Trivedi
Trivedi is a West Indian surname, especially among Gujaratis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Trivedi,” meaning “one who is learned in the three Vedas.”
8. Patel
Patel is a West Indian surname found in Gujarat and among the Indian diaspora. It signifies a person who was historically a village headman or landowner.
9. Vora
Vora is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It is derived from the title “Vora,” meaning “merchant” or “trader.”
10. Gohil
Gohil is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a Rajput clan.
11. Jani
Jani is a West Indian surname found among Gujaratis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Jani,” meaning “one who is knowledgeable or learned.”
12. Prajapati
Prajapati is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Prajapati,” meaning “lord of creatures.”
13. Kothari
Kothari is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
14. Bhatti
Bhatti is a West Indian surname found among Punjabis and Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a Rajput clan.
15. Kanani
Kanani is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It is derived from the title “Kanani,” meaning “one who is a merchant” or “trader.”
16. Bhalani
Bhalani is a West Indian surname found among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
17. Amin
Amin is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It is derived from the Arabic word “Amin,” meaning “trustworthy.”
18. Bharati
Bharati is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Bharati,” meaning “one who is a learned scholar.”
19. Rawal
Rawal is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a Rajput clan.
20. Jain
Jain is a West Indian surname, found among Gujaratis and other communities. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Jain,” meaning “one who is a follower of Jainism.”
21. Vaghela
Vaghela is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a Rajput clan.
22. Gada
Gada is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
23. Choksi
Choksi is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a merchant community.
24. Shukla
Shukla is a West Indian surname found among Gujaratis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Shukla,” meaning “white” or “bright.”
25. Soni
Soni is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Soni,” meaning “goldsmith.”
26. Panchal
Panchal is a West Indian surname found among Gujaratis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Panchal,” meaning “one who is a five-fold scholar.”
27. Vyas
Vyas is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Vyas,” meaning “one who is a sage or scholar.”
28. Devani
Devani is a West Indian surname found among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
29. Barot
Barot is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a community or profession.
30. Maru
Maru is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
31. Shah
Shah is a West Indian surname found among Gujaratis. It is derived from the Persian word “Shah,” meaning “king” or “ruler.”
32. Mistry
Mistry is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It is derived from the title “Mistry,” meaning “one who is skilled in a trade.”
33. Patel
Patel is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It signifies a person who was historically a village headman or landowner.
34. Desai
Desai is a West Indian surname found among Gujaratis. It is derived from the title “Desai,” meaning “village headman” or “administrator.”
35. Makwana
Makwana is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a Rajput clan.
36. Kapadia
Kapadia is a West Indian surname found among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a merchant or trade community.
37. Modi
Modi is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a merchant community.
38. Prajapati
Prajapati is a West Indian surname found among Gujaratis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Prajapati,” meaning “lord of creatures.”
39. Parmar
Parmar is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a Rajput clan.
40. Joshi
Joshi is a West Indian surname, found among Gujaratis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Joshi,” meaning “one who is a scholar or priest.”
41. Bhandari
Bhandari is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a merchant community.
42. Desai
Desai is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It is derived from the title “Desai,” meaning “village headman.”
43. Gopalani
Gopalani is a West Indian surname, found among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
44. Soni
Soni is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “Soni,” meaning “goldsmith.”
45. Bhadani
Bhadani is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a family or lineage.
46. Raval
Raval is a West Indian surname, found among Gujaratis. It is derived from the name of a Rajput clan.
47. Vora
Vora is a West Indian surname, especially common among Gujaratis. It is derived from the title “Vora,” meaning “merchant.”
Quick Fact:
A study found that Patel is one of the most common family names in the UK and Ireland, appearing over 100,000 times among 45,600 names listed. (1)
48. Patel
Patel is a West Indian surname found in Gujarat and among the Indian diaspora. It signifies a person who was historically a village headman or landowner.
49. Desai
Desai is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It is derived from the title “Desai,” meaning “village headman.”
50. Shah
Shah is a West Indian surname, particularly among Gujaratis. It is derived from the Persian word “Shah,” meaning “king” or “ruler.”
Faqs
Which surname is the most common in India?
The most common surname in India is Devi, used by over 70 million people.
What is a royal surname in India?
The Rajputs are known for their bravery and royalty, with notable lineages including Suryavanshi, Chandravanshi, and Agnivanshi, each comprising various clans.
What are common Indian surnames in Mumbai?
In Mumbai, you’ll find surnames like Patel, Shah, Desai, Mehta, and Sharma. The prevalence of these surnames can vary across different communities and neighborhoods.
Are surnames placed first in India?
In northern India, people usually follow Western naming conventions, with the given name first and the surname last. In southern India, surnames might be used out of necessity, especially when moving or traveling abroad.
What is a common Indian last name?
Globally, the surnames most closely associated with Indian ethnicity are Kumar, Singh and Sharma. Kumar is popular among Hindu families and has two potential origins.
