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The people of Punjab, a part of Northern India, are known for their brave and hospitable nature, reflected in their surnames. Punjabi surnames can be traced to topographic, occupational, or ancestral clans’ origins within a community. The three central communities in Punjab include the Khatri (primarily consisting of merchants and warriors), the Arora (mostly merchants and businessmen), and the Jatt (mainly landowners or farmers) (1). Most Punjabi surnames belong to these communities. Punjabi surnames are also heavily influenced by Sikhism, Hinduism, and Islam, which have shaped the community’s naming conventions. For instance, Sikh surnames are inspired by Sikh gurus or important figures in Sikh history. Punjabi-Hindu surnames relate to ancient clans or castes, and those from Islam have Arabic or Persian influences. This post lists some interesting surnames and their meanings and origins.
Key Pointers
- Punjabi surnames have occupational, ancestral, and topographical origins.
- They carry deep historical and social significance, and are recognized globally.
- Khatri, Arora, and the Jatt communities predominantly feature these surnames.
- Notable and culturally rich Punjabi surnames include Choudhary, Bedi, Kapoor, Ahuja, and Singh.
List Of Popular Punjabi Surnames With Meanings
Punjabi surnames represent lineage and clans among the families, providing insights into their cultural and historical aspects. All the Punjabi surnames belong to different Punjabi clans or communities, such as Jatt, Khatri, and Arora. However, many are further categorized as occupational, ancestral, and toponymic surnames within a community. Below are some popular Punjabi surnames listed under various categories.
Toponymic Punjabi Surnames
Some Punjabi surnames are derived from ancestral villages or regions. These last names are considered regional or toponymic surnames. Here are some of the most common ones.
1. Ahluwalia
It has a toponymic origin and refers to those who originally belonged to a village named Ahlu, believed to be situated near Lahore during the Sikh Confederacy. The surname also contains -walia, a common Punjabi suffix. The surname is famously associated with Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, a Sikh leader during the Sikh Confederacy (2).
2. Arora
The surname Arora has a toponymic origin and refers to those who originally belonged to the ancient city of Aror, Sindh, which is presently known as Rohri, situated in Pakistan.
3. Attwal/Atwal
The surname Attwal/Atwal has its name derived from Attalika, a Sanskrit word meaning, ‘high hill-tops.’ The surname Attwal traces its roots to a Jatt clan from the Jalandhar district of the Punjab region.
4. Basra
Basra probably has a toponymic origin and refers to individuals whose ancestors migrated from Basra, a place in Iraq.
5. Bhatti
This surname has its origin in the Sanskrit word bhatta, which means ‘lord.’ It might also have a toponymic origin referring to individuals who originally belonged to the region called Bhattiana, situated across Punjab and Haryana. The name is famously associated with Dulla Bhatti, also known as the Robin Hood of Punjab, a Punjabi folk hero who led a revolt against the Mughal rule during the reign of Emperor Akbar (3).
6. Bindra
It has its origins in Bindranath, a Sanskrit word that refers to the ‘high hill-tops.’ Bindra is a common surname among Khatris and Jatts. Among contemporaries, a famous bearer of the surname is Indian Olympian Abhinav Bindra.
Did you know?7. Dosanjh
A surname common among the Jatt Sikh, Dosanjh probably has a toponymic origin, deriving its name from Dosanjh, a village situated in Punjab. The name Dosanjh also means ‘a union of two.’ Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh is a famous bearer of this surname.
8. Juneja
It is a surname from the Arora community. Juneja likely comes from the name of a tribe or clan that originally belonged to the Sindh region, which is now located in Pakistan.
9. Khanna
It refers to those who originally belonged to the city of Khanna in Punjab. Khanna is a popular Punjabi surname from the Khatri community. It is associated with renowned Indian actors such as Rajesh Khanna and Vinod Khanna, and among contemporaries, with famed Michelin star chef Vikas Khanna.
10. Puri
The surname, found in the Khatri community, refers to those who originally belonged to the village of Puri in Punjab. The surname was carried by veteran Indian actors Amrish Puri and Om Puri.
Occupational Punjabi Surnames
Occupational surnames refer to the professions of one’s ancestors. They reveal the wide range of occupations and trades associated with the Punjabi community and link the present with the past. Read on to discover which common Punjabi surnames are linked to a profession.
11. Bajaj
The surname probably has its origin from a Punjabi word referring to a ‘clothier.’ It is a common surname among the Punjabi Arora and Khatri communities. The surname is famously associated with Jamnalal Bajaj, the Indian politician, businessman, and founder of the Bajaj Group of companies (4).
12. Bedi
The surname is derived from vedi, a Sanskrit word referring to ‘an individual who knows the Vedas.’ It is also the name of a clan within the Khatri community. The surname is famously carried by Kiran Bedi, the former Indian police officer, bureaucrat, and governor.
13. Bhatia
The surname likely comes from the name of a clan or community of landlords or merchants located primarily in western to northwestern India. The surname means ‘lord’ or ‘warrior.’
14. Chopra
The surname refers to those belonging to a merchant clan within the Khatri community. It is a popular surname with many famous bearers, including Indian Olympic athlete Neeraj Chopra, film director Yash Chopra, and Indian-American author Deepak Chopra.
15. Choudhary
The surname Choudhary has an interesting origin and is known to be derived from chadhur, which means ‘four,’ combined with dhar, which means ‘to own’ or ‘possess.’ Choudhary probably means ‘holder of four,’ where four is indicative of a measure of land. The surname was common among zamindars or landlords.
16. Grover
The surname Grover, has its origin from Guruvara/Gorovare, which, in turn, is derived from guru, a Sanskrit word meaning ‘a teacher or an instructor.’ The surname is common among Khatri, Jatt, and Sikh communities.
17. Malhotra
Malhotra has its origin in another surname, Mehrotra, which itself comes from Mehra, meaning ‘chief master.’ The surname Mehra comes from Mehr Chand, the founder of the Mehra clan within the Khatri community.
18. Malik
Malik, a Punjabi surname, has its origin from a status name indicative of a ‘ruler’ or a ‘king.’ This surname has Arabic origins.
19. Mehta
The surname has its origin in Mahita, a Sanskrit word meaning ‘appreciation.’ The surname Mehta may also have been derived from Mehta, a word that means ‘chief.’
20. Sahni/Sawhney
The Khatri surname Sahni/Sawhney is likely derived from a word that means ‘companion’ or ‘commander.’ The surname was carried by acclaimed Indian screen and stage actor Balraj Sahni (5).
21. Sood
The surname likely comes from the word soot or sood, which means ‘interest’ or ‘gain.’ It probably referred to those who belonged to a community of merchants or traders.
22. Suri
It is derived from Suri, a Sanskrit word referring to ‘a priest’ or ‘the Sun.’ The surname is found among those belonging to the Khatri community.
Ancestral Punjabi Surnames
A vast majority of Punjabi surnames derive from clans or “gotras.” These surnames signify one’s ancestry and association with a particular clan. Here are some of the most well-known ancestral Punjabi surnames.
23. Ahuja
Ahuja, a surname with a patronymic origin, refers to the ‘descendants of Ahu.’ Indian actor and producer Arun Kumar Ahuja was a famous bearer of this surname.
24. Anand
Its origin is probably in the name Anand, who was the founder of the Anand clan in the Arora-Khatri community. The surname means ‘joy’ in Sanskrit. It is famously associated with Indian author Mulk Raj Anand (6).
25. Aneja
The surname has its origin in the name of a clan within the Arora-Khatri community. The word aneja is said to connote ‘not desirous of benefits’ in Sanskrit.
26. Babbar
The surname has its origin in the clan name Babbar within the Jatt community. It is said to come from Babori, a tribal name.
27. Bajwa
It is derived from Baaz, a word that originally came from Persian and refers to a ‘hawk’ or a ‘falcon.’
28. Batra
The surname Batra has its origin in the name of a clan in the Arora-Khatri community.
29. Behl
It is derived from bahala, a Sanskrit word meaning ‘strong.’ It is also the name of a clan within the Khatri community.
30. Bhalla
It is derived from bhalla, a Sanskrit word that means ‘bear’ or ‘auspicious.’ The surname is common among Punjabi Khatris and Sikhs.
31. Bhasin
It is derived from Bhasin, a Sanskrit word meaning ‘the sun.’ The surname is the name of a clan within the Khatri community. It is prominently associated with Indian poet, writer, social scientist, and pioneering women’s rights activist Kamla Bhasin (7).
32. Brar
The surname has its origin in the village Bidowali from the Jatt community. The Brars were said to be brave warriors and descendants of the Bhatti Rajputs.
33. Chawla
It is the name of a clan within the Arora community. The Chawla surname is also found in the Khatri and Jatt communities. It comes from the Sanskrit word chawal, meaning ‘rice.’ The name is famously associated with astronaut and aerospace engineer Kalpana Chawla (8).
34. Deol
A common Punjabi Jatt surname, Deol was originally the name of a warrior clan. It has its origin in the name of a place called Diraval.
35. Dhillon
The surname Dhillon has its origin in the name of a clan within the Jatt community. It is said to originate from the Punjabi word dhilli, referring to ‘a small ditch or depression in the ground.’
36. Duggal
Duggal is derived from the name of a clan within the Punjabi Khatri community. The Duggals are said to be connected to Dourgal, people in charge of providing security to forts.
37. Gambhir
The surname Gambhir comes from the name of a clan within the Arora community, who were likely merchants or traders. The word comes from the Sanskrit gambhira, meaning ‘deep’ or ‘serious.’ The surname is famously associated with Gautam Gambhir, a former international cricketer and politician.
38. Ghai
The surname Ghai is common among the Punjabi Khatri community and probably has its origin in a Khatri clan name. It is said to connote ‘rich’ or ‘wealthy.’
39. Gill
The surname likely has its origin in the name of a clan within the Jatt community. Gill comes from the Punjabi word gil, which either means ‘moisture’ or ‘prosperity.’
40. Gulati
It is a surname from the Arora and Khatri communities. The origin of the surname is unknown, and it likely would have been the name of a clan within either community.
41. Handa
It is derived from a word that probably refers to a ‘cooking pot.’ The surname Handa is common in the Khatri community.
42. Hans
It is an Arora community surname that is derived from Hamsa, a Sanskrit word which means ‘a swan.’ The surname is also used by the Jatts, Chuhras, and Mirasis.
43. Kakkar
It comes from the name of a clan in the Bahri subdivision of the Khatri community and is used by Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims. While some believe it has its roots in the Sanskrit word karalagni, referring to the Sun and meaning ‘one who holds fire in its hands,’ others believe it comes from the word karkar, meaning ‘strong’ or ‘powerful.’
44. Kamra
It is derived from a Sanskrit word that means ‘beautiful.’ The surname is the name of a clan within the Arora community and is used by Hindus and Sikhs.
45. Kapoor
It is a popular surname among the Punjabi Khatris. Kapoor likely originates from the Sanskrit word karpura, which means ‘camphor.’ The name is prominently associated with renowned actor Prithviraj Kapoor, one of the founding figures of Hindi cinema (9).
46. Kaushal
The surname likely refers to those who descended from the sage Hiranyabha Kaushal. The name Kaushal comes from Sanskrit and means ‘efficient,’ ‘skilled,’ or ‘competent.’
47. Khurana
It is the name of a clan within the Arora and Khatri communities. It is said to originate from Khorasan in Iran. The surname is also spelled as Khorana and Khurrana, and one of its most famous namesakes is Indian-American biochemist and Nobel laureate Har Gobind Khorana (10).
48. Kohli
A popular Punjabi Surname, Kohli has its origin in the name of a clan in the Khatri community originating in Delhi. A renowned bearer of the surname is international cricketer and former Indian team captain Virat Kohli, considered one of the best batsmen of all time.
49. Nanda
A surname common among Punjabi Khatri, Nanda has its origin in a clan name in the Khatri community. In Sanskrit, the word nanda signifies ‘full of joy’ or ‘achiever.’
50. Narang
It is derived from naranga, a Sanskrit word which means ‘orange.’ The surname is found among the Arora community. Indian Olympian Gagan Narang is a famous bearer of this surname.
51. Narula
Narula originates in the name of a clan within the Arora community. The surname is also common among Sikhs.
52. Sagar
It comes from the Sanskrit word sagara, which means ‘sea’ or ‘ocean.’ The surname is found among the Khatri community.
53. Sehgal
It is the name of a clan within the Khatri community. It is believed to have origins in the Iranian word saka, which is derived from saghis, a tree found in Central Asia. Some also believe Sehgal comes from the town of Sagala or Sakala, now known as Sehgalabad in Pakistan.
54. Singh
The surname Singh has its origin in a Sanskrit word meaning ‘lion.’ Singh was originally an ornamental title adopted by warriors. Later, with the advent of Sikhism, the surname became mandatory for all Sikh men (11).
Did you know?55. Sobti
The surname was originally the name of a clan within the Punjabi Khatri community. It is said to connote ‘lineage’ or ‘descent.’
56. Sodhi
It is derived from a Sanskrit word that means ‘one who has endured.’ The surname is found in the Khatri community and among Sikhs as well.
57. Soni
Soni is common among the Punjabi Khatris. The surname has its origin in a Khatri clan name. It comes from the Sanskrit word son, meaning ‘gold,’ implying that Sonis were originally goldsmiths.
58. Talwar
It is derived from Taravari, a Sanskrit word meaning ‘sword.’ The surname is the name of a clan from the Khatri community.
59. Tandon
It was originally the name of a clan of warriors within the Khatri community. Tandon comes from the Sanskrit word martand, which refers to the ‘sun.’
60. Taneja
The surname is derived from a Sanskrit word that means ‘blade of grass.’ Taneja is the name of a clan within the Arora community.”
61. Thapar
Thapar originally referred to the name of a clan within the Khatri community.
62. Tuli
It is the name of a warrior clan in the Khatri community. A famous bearer of the surname is Neville Tuli, a famous author and archivist.
63. Vij
A popular surname among Punjabi Khatris, the surname Vij probably has its origin from the name of a clan. It comes from the Sanskrit word vijan, meaning ‘deserted.’
64. Vohra
It probably has its origin in Vyuha, a Sanskrit word meaning ‘battle array.’ The surname is common among Punjabi Khatris and Sikhs.
65. Wahi (Wahie)
The surname Wahi has its origin in a Khatri clan name. It has its origins in the Arabic word wahy, meaning ‘revelation.’
Discover More Names
When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the Punjabi surname ‘Kaur’?
Kaur means ‘princess’ in Punjabi and is the second name given to female Sikhs.
2. What is the significance of the Punjabi surname ‘Bhullar’?
Bhullar surname belongs to the Jatt community. It is the name of a village in Batala in Gurdaspur, Punjab.
3. What does the Punjabi surname ‘Bhandari’ mean?
The surname ‘Bhandari’ is derived from the word ‘Bhandar,’ which means ‘a storehouse or granary.’ Thus, the meaning of this surname is ‘treasurer or ‘keeper of the storehouse,’ belonging to the Khatri caste in Punjabis.
4. Why do Punjabi families often have the same surnames?
The Sikh Gurus wanted to abolish the caste system prevailing in India. To create equality amongst humans, they urged the Sikhs to adopt common surnames so people could not be discriminated against on the basis of their caste or community.
Punjabi surnames reflect the rich cultural history and heritage of the region of Punjab. Several Punjabis have migrated to various parts of the world, carrying their powerful last names with them. This has increased people’s curiosity about their surnames and their origins. Our post provides you a glimpse into the wonderful history and origins of Punjabi surnames, with some of them being around for centuries. Indian last names like Wadhwa, Sandhu, and Sethi are also common in the Punjabi community. Learning about these surnames and their origins can also help you better understand and appreciate the culture of the Punjabi community.
Infographic: Popular Punjabi Surnames
From Singh to Kapoor, Punjabi surnames are known worldwide and associated with many famous Indian celebrities. Also, a Punjabi surname represents a person’s familial background and culture. So, here is an infographic that tells you some of the most popular Punjabi surnames and what they mean. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Sikh Surnames.
https://tekeli.li/onomastikon/India/Sikh/Surnames.html - Jassa Singh Ahluwalia.
https://sikhri.org/articles/jassa-singh-ahluwalia - The Robin Hood of Panjab: Dulla Bhatti.
https://www.onepanjab.org/post/the-robin-hood-of-panjab-dulla-bhatti - About Jamnalal Bajaj.
https://www.jamnalalbajajfoundation.org/jamnalal-bajaj/about - Tribute to Balraj Sahni commemorating 75th anniversary of his screen debut.
https://countercurrents.org/2021/05/tribute-to-balraj-sahni-commemorating-75th-anniversary-of-his-screen-debut/ - Mulk Raj Anand.
https://www.loc.gov/acq/ovop/delhi/salrp/mulkrajanand.html - Pioneering feminist Kamla Bhasin dies at 75.
https://waccglobal.org/pioneering-feminist-kamla-bhasin-dies-at-75/ - Kalpana Chawla: The First South Asian American Woman in Space.
https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/kalpana-chawla - Prithviraj (Kapoor).
https://archive.org/details/dli.MoI.Prithviraj_Eng - H. Gobind Khorana.
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1968/khorana/facts/ - Sikh Names and Surnames – Principles and Practices – A Viewpoint
https://www.sikhmissionarysociety.org/sms/smsarticles/advisorypanel/gurindersinghsacha/sikhnamesandsurnames/
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