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Are you aware that most Marathi surnames have suffixes such as ‘e’ and ‘kar’ at the end? The ‘kar’ suffix usually denotes the village the person belongs to. For example, some renowned celebrities from Maharashtra, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Bhimrao Ambedkar, and Lata Mangeshkar, have this suffix at the end of their names.
You might be surprised to learn that certain surnames also reflect ancestral family traditions or occupations, highlighting Maharashtra’s rich cultural heritage and social structure.
So, if you are curious about Marathi surnames and would like to know more about their origin, have a quick look at our list, compiled here.
List Of Popular Marathi Surnames Or Last Names
1. Aadekar/Ahale
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This Marathi surname refers to a ‘building constructor.’ It would have originated from people who were involved in the construction of houses or buildings in general.
2. Ambedkar
It is derived from the surname ‘Ambavadekar,’ referring to a person belonging to the Ambavade village in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra
3. Bapat
It is a likely reference to the ‘father’ or ‘fathers.’ It probably originated from someone or with some group of people who were fatherly figures for a village; like a village chieftain.
4. Bhede
It means the ‘one who divides’ or the ‘one who discriminates’ in Marathi. It may have begun as a nickname and later transformed into a surname.
5. Chandekar
Chandekar means the ’owner of the silver mines’ or someone who ‘belongs to the land of silver mines.’ Hence, this was a likely occupational surname for people who owned or worked in silver mines.
6. Chaatre
The root word for the surname is ‘chatri’ meaning ‘umbrella’ in Marathi. This surname was likely given to those who worked as an ‘umbrella maker.’
7. Chitre
Chitre is another occupational surname which means ‘drawing maker’ or an ‘artist.’
8. Deo
Deo means ‘God’ in Marathi. This surname can also be seen as a suffix in many other Marathi surnames.
9. Deshmukh
It means the ‘head of the state’ or ‘head of the region.’ It likely referred to someone who was the head of the district or the chieftain for a region.
10. Deshpande
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It means the ‘district accountant’ or the ‘head of finances’ for a region or a place. The surname was used to refer a learned and wise person.
11. Divekar
This is an occupational surname for someone who was an ‘owner of a lamp factory’ or ‘maker of lamps.’
12. Gaitonde
It means ‘someone with a face like a cow.’ It may have begun as a nickname and later transformed into a surname.
13. Gaonkar
It means ‘from a village.’ It would have referred to someone or a group of people who migrated from a village or villages.
14. Gavaskar
It refers to someone with their origins in the Gavaswadi village of Kolhapur district of Maharashtra.
Trivia15. Gawali
Gawali in Marathi means ‘milkman.’ It is an occupational surname for someone in the collection and distribution of milk.
16. Holkar
It is a surname for someone from the village called Hol in the Pune district of Maharashtra. The surname could also be for someone who has descended from the Holkar dynasty, which also gets its name from the village.
17. Kamat
Kamat in Marathi means ‘one who is always at work.’ It likely referred to someone who was a hard worker.
18. Kamble
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It refers to a ‘blanket’ in Marathi. It is likely an occupational name for someone involved in the manufacturing or trading of blankets.
19. Kapse
It comes from the Marathi word ‘Kapus’ meaning ‘cotton.’ The surname likely referred to someone who worked in or owned cotton mills.
20. Kharche
It was likely a nickname for someone who was a ‘money-spender.’
21. Khare
It means ‘true,’ ‘sincere’ or ‘pure’ in Marathi.
22. Kolhe
It is the Marathi word for ‘fox.’ Just like Gaitonde, this surname may have begun its existence as a nickname.
23. Kulkarni
It refers to someone who ‘managed accounts’ or someone who ‘handled the finances of a village or kingdom.’ The surname was a title, which eventually transformed into a surname.
24. Landage
It is derived from the word ‘landaga,’ which means ‘wolf’ in Marathi. Like other animal-based surnames, this Marathi surname may have begun as a nickname.
25. Lokhande
It means ‘someone who is like iron.’ It probably referred to someone strong and well-built. Another use could be to refer a blacksmith or someone who dealt with iron.
26. Maali
It is the Marathi word for ‘gardener.’ It is thus an occupational surname.
27. Matkari
It refers to a ‘pot maker’ or someone who is a pot trader.
Trivia28. Manjrekar or Manjarekar
The root word for the name is the Marathi word ‘Manjar,’ which means cat. The surname means ‘someone who belongs to a place of cats’ or ‘a person who likes cats.’
29. Mangeshkar
It refers to someone who belongs to the Mangeshi village in Goa. The singer Lata Mangeshkar is probably the most famous bearer of this surname.
30. Mhalsalkar
It refers to someone from the place called Mhalsa in Maharashtra.
31. Mukadam
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It means a ‘contractor,’ ‘supervisor,’ or could even refer to the ‘manager of a group of workers.’ It is an occupational surname.
32. Naik
It likely comes from the Marathi word ‘nayak,’ which means ‘chief,’ ‘head’ or the ‘commander.’
33. Nene
It means to ‘take away’ or ‘carry away’ in Marathi. It is not known how the word become a surname, but it may have begun as a moniker for someone.
34. Patil
The name refers to a ‘head’ or ‘chief’ in Marathi.
35. Pokharkar
It comes from the word ‘pokhar,’ which refers to a pond. The surname likely refers to someone who belonged to a place close to a pond.
36. Pujari
Pujari means ‘priest’ in Marathi. It is thus an occupational surname.
37. Raaje
It means someone who came from a ‘royal, ‘imperial,’ or ‘aristocratic’ family.
38. Ratnaparakhi
It means ‘assessor of gems.’ The surname is an occupational surname for a ‘jeweler.’
39. Sahasrabuddhe
This name means ‘someone who is 1000 times more intelligent’ than others. It originally could have referred to a learned and knowledgeable person.
40. Shahane
It means ‘wise’ or ‘smart.’ It referred to someone well-educated and highly-learned.
41. Shirke
It likely refers to someone from or around the place called Shirkoli in Maharashtra.
42. Shiwde/ Shimpi
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It means ‘someone who stitches’ or a ‘tailor.’
43. Sonar
The occupational surname refers to a goldsmith.
44. Tendulkar
It refers to ‘someone from Tendul village.’ Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar is probably the most famous bearer of the surname.
45. Tipnis
Tipnis in Marathi means a ‘stenographer.’
46. Vedpathak
In Marathi, it means ‘someone who has thoroughly learned the vedas’ or ‘someone who is a reader or orator of Vedas.’ Vedas are the collection of religious texts.
47. Vichaare
It refers to ‘someone who always thinks’ or ‘someone who always has and shares their thoughts.’ It may have been an epithet that later transformed into a surname.
48. Wagh/ Veerkar
‘Wagh’ is the Marathi word for ‘tiger.’ ‘Veerkar’ means ‘someone brave.’ Both surnames refer to someone who is ‘brave’ and ‘fearless.’
49. Waghdhare
It means a ‘tiger catcher.’ It is an occupational surname.
50. Waghmare
It means ‘tiger killer.’ It refers to someone in the occupation of exterminating tigers or a hunter.
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. Are Marathi surnames associated with caste?
Yes. The maratha caste is made of several marathi clans based on their profession or region of belonging. Surnames of Maharastrians is an indicator of their respective caste or clan.
2. Are Marathi surnames gender specific?
No. Maharastrian surnames are based on professions or regions but not on gender.
3. What is the significance of Marathi surnames?
Marathi surnames hold significance as they often reflect one’s caste, community, ancestral occupation, or place of origin, providing insights into the individual’s social and cultural background. They are an integral part of Marathi’s identity and heritage, contributing to the diversity and richness of the region’s social fabric.
4. How are Marathi surnames structured?
Marathi surnames are typically structured with the given name followed by the family or clan name, often indicating the ancestral lineage or caste affiliation. Additionally, suffixes like -kar, -e, -ekar, -ikar, or -ankar are commonly used to denote the occupation associated with the family or the place of origin.
5. How do Marathi surnames differ from surnames in other Indian languages?
Marathi surnames differ from surnames in other Indian languages in terms of their unique linguistic and cultural influences, reflecting the specific caste, community, or regional affiliations within Maharashtra. They often incorporate suffixes denoting professions or ancestral origins, distinguishing them from other regional Indian last names.
6. How are Marathi surnames passed down from generation to generation?
Marathi surnames are typically passed down patrilineally, with the son inheriting the father’s surname, ensuring the continuity of the family name. Traditionally, Marathi women replace their maiden surname with their husband’s surname.
Marathi surnames are among those that are easily recognizable for their distinctive pronunciation. Their surnames can be traced back to their ancestral and occupational history. Once the surname was given, it stuck with them over generations and generations. Therefore, you can easily identify their origin from the surnames. So now, with the list of common and unique Marathi surnames, you can enlighten yourself about the people’s heritage and history.
Infographic: Popular Marathi Surnames
Every Marathi surname has a suffix that reveals the name’s origin and ancestral roots. Below is an infographic that lists a few most-famous Marathi last names derived from the Marathi language and the rich Maharashtrian culture. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- An interesting way to identify a Marathi surname is the suffix ‘-kar,’ denoting the person’s native village.
- A different segment of last names also exists that originate from occupations or traditions followed by the ancestors.
- Most surnames come from the rich heritage of Maharashtra, including the Maratha Kingdom.
- Some common Marathi surnames include Bapat (Father), Kamat (One who is always at work), Waghmare (Tiger killer), and Deshpande (Head of finances).
Illustration: Popular Marathi Surnames Or Last Names With Meanings
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
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