171 Common Indian Last Names Across Regions

What’s your last name?

Finding the right surname for a character in your story or understanding the background of Indian last names can be tricky.

Many writers and researchers get stuck when they need authentic Indian surnames for their work.

Good news – we’ve put together a list of 171 common Indian last names from different regions.

You’ll learn about their origins, meanings, and which parts of India they come from. This guide makes it easy to pick the perfect last name for your needs, whether you’re writing a book, doing research, or just curious about Indian surnames.

Let’s look at these fascinating family names together – from the hills of Kashmir to the shores of Kerala, and everywhere in between.

171 Indian Last Names And Their Rich Cultural Legacy

1. Acharya

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Commonly found among Brahmins in India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a teacher or spiritual guide

2. Agarwal

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Widespread among the trading community in India
• Cultural Significance: Historically associated with the Vaishya caste

3. Ahluwalia

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Common among Sikh communities
• Cultural Significance: Linked to the Ahluwalia clan in Punjab

4. Aiyer

• Origin: Tamil
• Popularity: Prominent among Tamil Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a person of high spiritual stature

5. Ajmera

• Origin: Gujarati
• Popularity: Found among Jain and business families
• Cultural Significance: Often linked to trading professions

6. Amarnath

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Common in Northern India
• Cultural Significance: Means “immortal God”

7. Anand

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Common across India, especially among North Indians
• Cultural Significance: Means “bliss” or “happiness.”

8. Apte

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Common among Maharashtrian Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a scholar or learned individual

9. Arora

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Found widely in North India
• Cultural Significance: Traditionally associated with the Kshatriya class

10. Babu

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Common in Bengal and neighboring regions
• Cultural Significance: Means “gentleman” or “respected person.”

11. Bagchi

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Found among Bengali Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Refers to the priestly class in Bengal

12. Bahuguna

• Origin: Garhwali
• Popularity: Common in Uttarakhand
• Cultural Significance: Often linked to Brahmin scholars in the Himalayas

13. Bajpai

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Common among Brahmins in North India
• Cultural Significance: Historically associated with priests and educators

14. Balakrishnan

• Origin: Tamil
• Popularity: Common among Tamil-speaking communities
• Cultural Significance: Refers to the deity Krishna in his childhood

15. Banerjee

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Prominent among Bengali Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Linked to the priestly and intellectual class

16. Bansal

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Common among the Agarwal community
• Cultural Significance: Historically associated with the trading profession

17. Barua

• Origin: Assamese
• Popularity: Found widely in Assam
• Cultural Significance: Linked to Assamese nobility and culture

18. Barve

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Common in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Associated with scholarly pursuits

19. Basak

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Found in Bengal and nearby regions
• Cultural Significance: Historically linked to the textile trade

20. Batra

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Common in Punjab and North India
• Cultural Significance: Associated with the Kshatriya class

21. Bavishi

• Origin: Gujarati
• Popularity: Found among Jain and business families
• Cultural Significance: Associated with the trading community

22. Bawa

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Common among Sikh communities
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a respected elder or leader

23. Bedi

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Found widely in Punjab
• Cultural Significance: Linked to the lineage of Guru Nanak

24. Behra

• Origin: Oriya
• Popularity: Common in Odisha
• Cultural Significance: Historically linked to farmers and laborers

25. Bhagat

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Found across North India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a devotee or worshipper

26. Bhakta

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Common among devotees of Hindu deities
• Cultural Significance: Means “devotee” or “follower of God.”

27. Bhalla

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Found in North India and Pakistan
• Cultural Significance: Traditionally associated with Kshatriyas

28. Bhandari

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found widely in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Refers to treasurers or keepers of valuables

29. Bharadwaj

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Common among Brahmins in India
• Cultural Significance: Linked to the Bharadwaj Gotra in Hinduism

30. Bhargava

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Found among Brahmin communities
• Cultural Significance: Refers to the descendants of sage Bhrigu

31. Bhatia

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Found in Punjab and Gujarat
• Cultural Significance: Historically linked to merchants

32. Bhattacharya

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Prominent among Bengali Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Associated with scholars and priests

33. Bhide

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found among Maharashtrian Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a scholarly lineage

34. Biswas

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Found in Bengal and neighboring regions
• Cultural Significance: Historically linked to trust and loyalty

35. Biyani

• Origin: Rajasthani
• Popularity: Found among Marwari business families
• Cultural Significance: Associated with trading and commerce

36. Borkar

• Origin: Konkani
• Popularity: Found in Goa and Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Linked to specific regions in Konkan

37. Bose

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Prominent in Bengal and neighboring regions
• Cultural Significance: Associated with intellectual and revolutionary movements

38. Chahal

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Common among Jatt Sikhs
• Cultural Significance: Linked to the landowning class in Punjab

39. Chakraborty

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Found widely among Bengali Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Refers to an emperor or ruler

40. Chand

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Found in North India and the Himalayan regions
• Cultural Significance: Refers to the moon

41. Chandran

• Origin: Tamil
• Popularity: Common in South India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to the moon, symbolizing calmness and serenity

42. Chaudhari

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Found in North India and Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a landlord or head of a village

43. Chawla

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Found among Hindu and Sikh communities
• Cultural Significance: Traditionally associated with the trading class

44. Chitnis

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Historically linked to administrative roles

45. Choksi

• Origin: Gujarati
• Popularity: Found among business communities in Gujarat
• Cultural Significance: Refers to goldsmiths or jewelers

46. Chopra

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Found among North Indian communities
• Cultural Significance: Traditionally associated with Kshatriyas

47. Choudhary

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Common across North India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a leader or head of a group

48. Dabholkar

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found in Maharashtra and Goa
• Cultural Significance: Associated with specific regions in Konkan

49. Daga

• Origin: Rajasthani
• Popularity: Common among Marwari families
• Cultural Significance: Historically linked to trading professions

50. Dalal

• Origin: Gujarati
• Popularity: Prominent in business communities
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a broker or intermediary

51. Damani

• Origin: Gujarati
• Popularity: Found among Marwari and Jain families
• Cultural Significance: Associated with trading and commerce

52. Damodaran

• Origin: Tamil
• Popularity: Common among South Indian communities
• Cultural Significance: Refers to Lord Vishnu

53. Das

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Found widely in Bengal and Odisha
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a devotee or servant of God

54. Dasgupta

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Prominent among Bengali Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Linked to scholars and priests

55. De

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Found widely in Bengal
• Cultural Significance: Often used as a short surname for families of noble heritage

56. Desai

• Origin: Gujarati
• Popularity: Found in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka
• Cultural Significance: Refers to landlords or administrative officials

57. Deshmukh

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Refers to chieftains or landowners

58. Deshpande

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Common among Maharashtrian Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Historically linked to administrative roles

59. Devaraj

• Origin: Kannada
• Popularity: Found in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
• Cultural Significance: Refers to “King of Gods”

60. Dhaliwal

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Common among Sikh Jatts
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a landowning clan

61. Dhandekar

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Historically linked to specific regions in Maharashtra

62. Dhar

• Origin: Kashmiri
• Popularity: Common among Kashmiri Pandits
• Cultural Significance: Linked to a priestly lineage

63. Dhawan

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Found widely in North India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to energetic or dynamic individuals

64. Dhillon

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Prominent among Jatt Sikhs
• Cultural Significance: Linked to landowning clans

65. Dholakia

• Origin: Gujarati
• Popularity: Found among Gujarati business families
• Cultural Significance: Associated with trading professions

66. Dubey

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Common among Brahmins in North India
• Cultural Significance: Linked to priestly and scholarly roles

67. Dutta

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Found widely among Bengali Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Historically associated with scholars and priests

68. Gadgil

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Linked to scholarly and administrative roles

69. Ganesh

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Common across India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to the Hindu deity Lord Ganesh

70. Ganguly

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Prominent among Bengali Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Linked to intellectual and priestly roles

71. Garg

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Common among Agarwal and Bania communities
• Cultural Significance: Refers to the lineage of sage Garg in Hinduism

72. Gera

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Found among Hindu and Sikh communities
• Cultural Significance: Linked to merchant and trader families

73. Ghosh

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Prominent in Bengal and surrounding areas
• Cultural Significance: Historically associated with landowners and zamindars

74. Ghule

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Common in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Linked to farming and agricultural professions

75. Gill

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Widespread among Jatt Sikhs
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a prominent landowning clan

76. Godbole

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found among Maharashtrian Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Associated with scholarly and priestly roles

77. Goel

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Common among Agarwal and Bania communities
• Cultural Significance: Linked to trading and business professions

78. Gogoi

• Origin: Assamese
• Popularity: Prominent in Assam
• Cultural Significance: Refers to nobility and administrative roles in Assamese society

79. Gokhale

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Common in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Linked to reformist and intellectual movements

80. Gopalan

• Origin: Tamil
• Popularity: Found widely in South India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to Lord Krishna as a cowherd

81. Goswami

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Common among Bengali and Assamese communities
• Cultural Significance: Refers to spiritual leaders or monks

82. Guha

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Found in Bengal and surrounding areas
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a cave or secret place, symbolizing wisdom

83. Gupta

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Found across India, especially among the business class
• Cultural Significance: Means “protector” or “guardian.”

84. Gupte

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Common in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Linked to administrative and scholarly roles

85. Hegde

• Origin: Kannada
• Popularity: Found widely in Karnataka
• Cultural Significance: Refers to village leaders or landlords

86. Hiremath

• Origin: Kannada
• Popularity: Common in Karnataka
• Cultural Significance: Linked to priests or scholars in Hinduism

87. Iyer

• Origin: Tamil
• Popularity: Prominent among Tamil Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Refers to high-ranking priests and scholars

88. Jadhav

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found in Maharashtra and Karnataka
• Cultural Significance: Historically associated with warriors and landlords

89. Jagtap

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Common in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Linked to farming and rural communities

90. Jain

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Found widely across India, especially among Jain communities
• Cultural Significance: Refers to followers of Jainism

91. Jamwal

• Origin: Kashmiri
• Popularity: Found in Jammu and Kashmir
• Cultural Significance: Historically associated with warriors and nobility

92. Jaykar

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Refers to victory and success

93. Jha

• Origin: Maithili
• Popularity: Common among Brahmins in Bihar and Jharkhand
• Cultural Significance: Linked to scholars and priests

94. Joglekar

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Associated with specific regional identities

95. Joshi

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Found widely across India, especially among Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Refers to astrologers or priests

96. Kadam

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Common in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Linked to rural and farming communities

97. Kadri

• Origin: Kannada
• Popularity: Found in Karnataka
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a sacred place or person of religious importance

98. Kamat

• Origin: Konkani
• Popularity: Common in Goa and Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Linked to the administrative class

99. Kanchan

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Found widely across India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to “gold,” symbolizing prosperity

100. Kang

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Common among Jatt Sikhs
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a clan of landowners

101. Karandikar

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Linked to specific regional identities in the Konkan region

102. Karunakaran

• Origin: Tamil
• Popularity: Common in Tamil Nadu and Kerala
• Cultural Significance: Means “compassionate” and symbolizes kindness

103. Kashyap

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Found widely among Brahmins across India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a sage in Hindu mythology and the Kashyap Gotra

104. Kataria

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Found in North India, particularly Punjab
• Cultural Significance: Associated with warrior and agricultural communities

105. Kathuria

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Common among business families in North India
• Cultural Significance: Linked to entrepreneurial and trading professions

106. Kaul

• Origin: Kashmiri
• Popularity: Prominent among Kashmiri Pandits
• Cultural Significance: Refers to learned scholars and priests

107. Kaur

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Common among Sikh women
• Cultural Significance: Means “princess” and represents equality in Sikhism

108. Keswani

• Origin: Sindhi
• Popularity: Found among Sindhi communities
• Cultural Significance: Historically linked to trade and commerce

109. Khanna

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Common in North India
• Cultural Significance: Associated with Kshatriya or warrior communities

110. Khosla

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Found in North India
• Cultural Significance: Historically associated with landowning families

111. Khullar

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Found among Sikh and Hindu communities
• Cultural Significance: Linked to agricultural professions

112. Kohli

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Prominent in North India and the Punjabi diaspora
• Cultural Significance: Associated with merchant and trading professions

113. Kudale

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Common in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Linked to farming and rural communities

114. Kulkarni

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found widely in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Refers to accountants or record-keepers in villages

115. Lal

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Common across North India
• Cultural Significance: Means “beloved” or “dear one.”

116. Lamba

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Found in Punjab and neighboring states
• Cultural Significance: Refers to tall or prominent individuals

117. Laxman

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Found across India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to the loyal brother of Lord Rama in Hindu mythology

118. Mahajan

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Common among business families in North India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to community leaders or great individuals

119. Maheshwari

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Found among Marwari and Agarwal communities
• Cultural Significance: Linked to the worshippers of Lord Shiva

120. Malhotra

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Common in North India
• Cultural Significance: Historically associated with the Kshatriya class

121. Malik

• Origin: Arabic
• Popularity: Found among Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh communities
• Cultural Significance: Means “king” or “ruler.”

122. Mankad

• Origin: Gujarati
• Popularity: Found among Gujarati business families
• Cultural Significance: Linked to trading and commerce

123. Marathe

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Linked to specific regional identities in the Konkan region

124. Mathur

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Found among North Indian Kayastha communities
• Cultural Significance: Refers to individuals from Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna

125. Mehta

• Origin: Gujarati
• Popularity: Prominent among business and trading families
• Cultural Significance: Refers to accountants or chief officials

126. Menon

• Origin: Malayalam
• Popularity: Common in Kerala
• Cultural Significance: Historically associated with administrative roles

127. Mishra

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Found among Brahmins across India
• Cultural Significance: Linked to scholars and priests

128. Mittal

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Common among Marwari and Agarwal communities
• Cultural Significance: Associated with trading professions

129. Mohanty

• Origin: Oriya
• Popularity: Found in Odisha and neighboring states
• Cultural Significance: Linked to priestly and scholarly traditions

130. Mukherjee

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Prominent among Bengali Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Associated with intellectual and priestly roles

131. Murthy

• Origin: Kannada
• Popularity: Found widely in South India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to an idol or sacred image in Hinduism

132. Naidu

• Origin: Telugu
• Popularity: Common in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a leader or head of a village

133. Nair

• Origin: Malayalam
• Popularity: Found widely in Kerala
• Cultural Significance: Historically associated with warriors and landowners

134. Nambiar

• Origin: Malayalam
• Popularity: Common in Kerala
• Cultural Significance: Linked to the Nair community and warrior traditions

135. Narayan

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Found across India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to Lord Vishnu

136. Narayanan

• Origin: Tamil
• Popularity: Common in Tamil Nadu and Kerala
• Cultural Significance: Refers to devotees of Lord Vishnu

137. Nath

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Found widely in North India and Bengal
• Cultural Significance: Means “lord” or “master.”

138. Nigam

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Common among North Indian Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Refers to knowledge or scriptures

139. Ojha

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Found in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal
• Cultural Significance: Refers to priests or astrologers

140. Pandey

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Common among Brahmins in North India
• Cultural Significance: Linked to priestly and scholarly traditions

141. Pandit

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Found across India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a learned person or priest

142. Parashar

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Found among Brahmins in North India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to the sage Parashar in Hindu mythology

143. Parekh

• Origin: Gujarati
• Popularity: Common among business families
• Cultural Significance: Associated with trading and administrative professions

144. Pathak

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Found among Brahmins in North and Central India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to a scholar or teacher

145. Patil

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Found in Maharashtra and Karnataka
• Cultural Significance: Refers to village leaders or landlords

146. Patwardhan

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Common in Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Historically linked to administrative roles

147. Pillai

• Origin: Malayalam
• Popularity: Found in Kerala and Tamil Nadu
• Cultural Significance: Refers to noble or royal lineage

148. Prabhu

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Found in Maharashtra and South India
• Cultural Significance: Means “lord” or “master.”

149. Purohit

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Common among Brahmins across India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to priests performing rituals

150. Raghavan

• Origin: Tamil
• Popularity: Found in Tamil Nadu and Kerala
• Cultural Significance: Refers to devotees of Lord Rama

151. Raj

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Found across India
• Cultural Significance: Means “rule” or “kingdom.”

152. Rajan

• Origin: Tamil
• Popularity: Common in South India
• Cultural Significance: Means “king” or “ruler.”

153. Rana

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Found in North India and Nepal
• Cultural Significance: Associated with royalty and warriors

154. Ranganathan

• Origin: Tamil
• Popularity: Common in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
• Cultural Significance: Refers to devotees of Lord Vishnu

155. Rao

• Origin: Telugu
• Popularity: Found in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra
• Cultural Significance: Refers to leaders or chieftains

156. Rastogi

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Common among Agarwal and trading communities
• Cultural Significance: Associated with entrepreneurial roles

157. Reddy

• Origin: Telugu
• Popularity: Found in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
• Cultural Significance: Historically linked to landowning and ruling classes

158. Sachdev

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Found in Punjab and North India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to truth and virtue

159. Sachdeva

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Common among Hindu and Sikh families
• Cultural Significance: Associated with noble deeds and righteousness

160. Saha

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Found in Bengal and surrounding areas
• Cultural Significance: Associated with trading and business professions

161. Sahni

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Common in Punjab and North India
• Cultural Significance: Linked to entrepreneurial families

162. Saksena

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Found in North India
• Cultural Significance: Historically linked to Kayastha communities

163. Salvi

• Origin: Marathi
• Popularity: Common in Maharashtra and Gujarat
• Cultural Significance: Refers to weavers and artisans

164. Sambhav

• Origin: Hindi
• Popularity: Found widely in North India
• Cultural Significance: Means “possibility” or “potential.”

165. Sampath

• Origin: Tamil
• Popularity: Common in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
• Cultural Significance: Refers to wealth and prosperity

166. Sandhu

• Origin: Punjabi
• Popularity: Common among Jatt Sikhs
• Cultural Significance: Linked to landowning families

167. Sanghvi

• Origin: Gujarati
• Popularity: Found among Jain business families
• Cultural Significance: Associated with trading and entrepreneurial roles

168. Sarma

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Popularity: Common among Brahmins in South and East India
• Cultural Significance: Refers to priests and scholars

169. Sengupta

• Origin: Bengali
• Popularity: Found among Bengali Brahmins
• Cultural Significance: Historically linked to scholarly and priestly roles

170. Sequeira

• Origin: Portuguese
• Popularity: Found in Goa and parts of South India
• Cultural Significance: Associated with Christian communities

171. Shah

• Origin: Gujarati
• Popularity: Common among Jain and business communities
• Cultural Significance: Refers to merchants or leaders in trade

Caste And Community Influences In Indian Surnames

In India, last names often serve as identifiers of social background.

They provide important context about a family’s history and social standing within their community.

Many Indian surnames link directly to traditional social groups. For example, Sharma typically points to a Brahmin background in North India, while Chamar surnames often connect to specific work communities.

These names have carried through generations, though their social significance varies by region.

Traditional family jobs shaped many Indian surnames. Kumar comes from craftspeople, Mehta from accountants, and Lohar from metalworkers. These occupation-based names show how work roles became part of family identity over time.

Religious beliefs strongly influence Indian surnames.

Singh, meaning ‘lion,’ often appears in Sikh names. Many Hindu surnames include terms for gods or sacred items. Muslim surnames like Sheikh or Syed point to religious or community leadership roles.

Conclusion

Understanding Indian last names opens a window into the rich family histories of India.

Each surname tells a story of regional roots and cultural traditions that span generations.

This list of Indian surnames shows the depth and variety of India’s naming customs.

While these names represent just a small sample of Indian surnames, they highlight how last names connect to specific regions, communities, and family backgrounds.

From occupations to places of origin, these surnames carry meaningful pieces of history that continue to link present generations with their past.