common last names in India: List of Common Surnames

Looking for common last names in India? This comprehensive list features a diverse range of surnames prevalent across the country, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry and historical influences of the nation. From traditional family names to modern variations, this list offers insights into the common surnames found in India.
1. Sharma: A popular surname of Hindu origin, meaning "learned" or "scholar". It is particularly common among the Brahmin community and reflects a tradition of knowledge and education.
2. Kumar: A widely used surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "son" or "prince". It signifies nobility and respect, often indicating a lineage with royal connections.
3. Singh: A common surname of Punjabi origin, meaning "lion". It signifies strength, courage, and leadership, often used by Sikh communities.
4. Patel: A common surname of Gujarati origin, meaning "leader" or "chieftain". It is associated with the Patidar community, known for their agricultural and business skills.
5. Gupta: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "protected" or "hidden". It is linked to the Vaishya community, known for their merchant background.
6. Verma: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "great" or "noble". It is particularly common among the Brahmin community and reflects a sense of prestige and tradition.
7. Mishra: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "mixed" or "blended". It is associated with the Brahmin community and suggests a lineage that combines different traditions and practices.
8. Tripathi: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "belonging to the three paths". It is linked to the Brahmin community and reflects their adherence to the three Vedas.
9. Yadav: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "descendant of Yadu". It is associated with the Kshatriya community, known for their warrior lineage.
10. Jain: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "conqueror" or "victor". It is primarily used by the Jain community, known for their commitment to non-violence and ethical conduct.
11. Khan: A surname of Persian origin, meaning "lord" or "king". It is commonly used by Muslims in India, reflecting historical connections to Persian and Mughal rulers.
12. Shah: A surname of Persian origin, meaning "king" or "emperor". It is used by both Hindus and Muslims in India, signifying power and authority.
13. Chauhan: A surname of Rajput origin, meaning "protector" or "guardian". It is associated with the Rajput community, known for their martial prowess and royal lineage.
14. Rajput: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "son of a king". It is used by a large community of warrior-kings in India, signifying nobility and lineage.
15. Kaur: A surname of Punjabi origin, meaning "princess". It is exclusively used by Sikh women, indicating their high status and respect within the community.
16. Das: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "servant" or "follower". It is commonly used by the Vaishya community, reflecting their dedication to serving others.
17. Tiwari: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "belonging to the river". It is linked to the Brahmin community and suggests a connection to a specific geographic location.
18. Pandey: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "leader" or "scholar". It is associated with the Brahmin community and reflects a position of authority and knowledge.
19. Srivastava: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "belonging to the Lord". It is linked to the Vaishya community and suggests a connection to divine grace.
20. Sahu: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "ruler" or "chieftain". It is associated with the Kshatriya community and signifies leadership and authority.
21. Bhatt: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "prophet" or "sage". It is linked to the Brahmin community and suggests a connection to spiritual knowledge and guidance.
22. Dwivedi: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "belonging to the two Vedas". It is associated with the Brahmin community and reflects a deep understanding of Vedic scriptures.
23. Mandal: A surname of Bengali origin, meaning "circle" or "assembly". It is primarily used by the Bengali community and signifies a sense of unity and belonging.
24. Roy: A surname of Bengali origin, meaning "king" or "ruler". It is associated with the Bengali community and suggests a lineage with royal connections.
25. Ghosh: A surname of Bengali origin, meaning "light" or "brightness". It is linked to the Bengali community and signifies a sense of illumination and knowledge.
26. Banerjee: A surname of Bengali origin, meaning "belonging to a particular lineage". It is associated with the Bengali community and suggests a connection to a specific ancestral group.
27. Mukherjee: A surname of Bengali origin, meaning "face of the sage". It is linked to the Bengali community and suggests a connection to ancient wisdom and learning.
28. Chatterjee: A surname of Bengali origin, meaning "belonging to the four classes". It is associated with the Bengali community and signifies a sense of balance and harmony.
29. Chowdhury: A surname of Bengali origin, meaning "leader of the village". It is associated with the Bengali community and suggests a position of authority and leadership.
30. Chaudhary: A surname of Hindi origin, meaning "leader of the village". It is used in different parts of India, signifying a role of authority and responsibility.
31. Joshi: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "wise man" or "astrologer". It is associated with the Brahmin community and suggests a connection to knowledge and wisdom.
32. Kulkarni: A surname of Marathi origin, meaning "secretary" or "treasurer". It is associated with the Brahmin community and suggests a role in managing finances and records.
33. Desai: A surname of Gujarati origin, meaning "belonging to a specific place". It is linked to the Patidar community and signifies a connection to a particular region or locality.
34. Modi: A surname of Gujarati origin, meaning "barber" or "tailor". It is associated with the Vaishya community and suggests a traditional occupation.
35. Shah: A surname of Persian origin, meaning "king" or "emperor". It is used by both Hindus and Muslims in India, signifying power and authority.
36. Khan: A surname of Persian origin, meaning "lord" or "king". It is commonly used by Muslims in India, reflecting historical connections to Persian and Mughal rulers.
37. Ali: A surname of Arabic origin, meaning "high" or "noble". It is commonly used by Muslims in India, reflecting religious and cultural ties to Islamic tradition.
38. Ahmed: A surname of Arabic origin, meaning "highly praised" or "most praised". It is commonly used by Muslims in India, reflecting religious and cultural ties to Islamic tradition.
39. Rahman: A surname of Arabic origin, meaning "mercy" or "compassion". It is commonly used by Muslims in India, reflecting religious and cultural ties to Islamic tradition.
40. Khan: A surname of Persian origin, meaning "lord" or "king". It is commonly used by Muslims in India, reflecting historical connections to Persian and Mughal rulers.
41. Malik: A surname of Arabic origin, meaning "king" or "ruler". It is commonly used by Muslims in India, reflecting historical connections to Islamic rulers.
42. Sheikh: A surname of Arabic origin, meaning "elder" or "leader". It is commonly used by Muslims in India, reflecting religious and cultural ties to Islamic tradition.
43. Lall: A surname of Hindi origin, meaning "red" or "ruby". It is associated with the Kshatriya community and signifies a connection to a specific color or gem.
44. Khanna: A surname of Punjabi origin, meaning "belonging to the fort". It is associated with the Kshatriya community and suggests a connection to a specific location or fortification.
45. Bajaj: A surname of Punjabi origin, meaning "belonging to the market". It is associated with the Vaishya community and suggests a connection to commercial activity.
46. Chopra: A surname of Punjabi origin, meaning "belonging to the village". It is associated with the Kshatriya community and suggests a connection to a specific rural location.
47. Aggarwal: A surname of Punjabi origin, meaning "belonging to the front". It is associated with the Vaishya community and suggests a position of leadership or prominence.
48. Sethi: A surname of Punjabi origin, meaning "belonging to the merchant". It is associated with the Vaishya community and suggests a connection to commercial activity.
49. Goyal: A surname of Punjabi origin, meaning "belonging to the cowherd". It is associated with the Vaishya community and suggests a connection to agriculture and animal husbandry.
50. Jain: A surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "conqueror" or "victor". It is primarily used by the Jain community, known for their commitment to non-violence and ethical conduct.