SIKH SURNAMES AND THE CASTES TO WHICH THEY BELONG
Originally when Guru Gobind Singh made the Khalsa, he banned castes and surname use, instead all Sikhs were either called Singh(Lion) or Kaur(Princess).
Over the following years, in the times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the Sikh Missls that reclaimed land back from the Moghuls, those leading the Missls eventually settled in those areas taking up farming. Inevitably many of these people originated from the warrior caste, Khatri. As they took up farming, they and the original Jatt communities often merged, so it is often neccessary to go back to these times to truly find the origin of the family. During these times it was only the Jatt community that held a surname and most often the surname was the village to which they belonged . In this way it was largely used in official times when the British demanded they give a surname for official records, it later became a way of identifying where a person came from.
The other high caste families reverted back to using the surnames in use before they became Sikhs and these included the low caste Ramgharias as well.
This division meant that it became easy for people to identify a person’s caste from their surname.
However, when very low caste sikhs migrated to countries such as the US, Canada and the UK, they thought of it as a chance to start a clean slate where people would not be able to identify their caste. Some adopted the surnames of their villages such as Gill and Rai, originally Jatt surnames, or close derivatives such as Shergill and Kalirai.
Therefore over recent years it has been difficult to retrace such surnames to caste, however since communities migrated to the west in such large numbers, many families from the same village came to the same cities. Before long those low caste families using ambiguous surnames were once again segregated.
BRAHMIN SURNAMES:
B: Bijral
R: Rhence
KSHATRYIA SURNAMES:
A: Arora (separate subcaste)
B: Baseen, Bedi, Bindra, Bindre, Bendre
C: Chaudhary, Chaudry, Chowdhary, Chowdry
K: Kapoor, Khalsa, Kohli
M: Makhar, Malhotra, Modi
S: Saluja, Seth, Sodhi, Saanhi, Suri
JATT SURNAMES:
A: Anuja, Anwal, Arab, Arar, Atwal, Arya, Asar or Asra, Athangal, Aujla, Aulakh or Aurak, .
B: Babbar, Bachhal, Badah, Badanah, Badechh, Bader, Badhan or Pakhai, Badohal, Badro, Badye, Bagrah, Bagri, Bahia, Bahniwal, Baidwan, Bains, Bairwal, Bajwa, Bakarki, Bal, Balagan, Balham, Balho, Balwatrah, Banb, Band, Bandal, Bandechh, Bandejah, Banhor, Banwait (Saini, lower division) Barian, Baryar, Basi, Basra, Bat or Bath, Batar, Bati, Battar, Bawah, Bawre, Benipal, Berag, Bhadah, Bhadiar, Bhagar, Bhaggu, Bhains, Bhalar, Bhalerah, Bhaman, Bhamrai, Bhandar, Bhander, Bhango, Bhangu, Bhaniwal, Bhanrar, Bhar, Bharah, Bharal, Bharanch, Bharwal, Bharwana, Bharyar, Bhati, Bhati Wad, Bhidal, Bhindal, Bhindar, Bhojiya, Bhola, Bholar, Bhonah, Bhotah, Bhotar, Bhullar, Bhutha, Binepal, Bochah, Bojak, Bola, Bonah, Bopahrae, Boperai, Bosan, Botar or Buttar, Brar, Bubak, Buch, Buhar, Bura, Burana, Burra, Buta.
C: CChina, Chaddu, Chahal, Chaina, Chakora, Chamal, Chamer, Chanan, Chanbal, Chandar, Chandarh, Chander, Changala, Chankar, Channar, Chanon, Chanwan, Chasti, Chattha, Chatyal, Chemiya, Chhajra, Chhaju, Chhamia, Chhana, Chhanb, Chhaner, Chhatta, Chhatar, Chhina, Chholiana, Chhon or Chhoni, Chimma, China, Chohang, Chokahi, Chokhia, Choniya, Chosar, Chowah or Chowan.
D: Dabb, Dadu, Dagar, Daha, Dahal, Dahalo, Dahamrai, Dahan, Dahang, Dahar, Dahawa, Dahba, Dahiya, Dahko, Dahloli, Daho, Dahon, Dahrala, Dahrija, Dal, Dalani, Dalo, Dammar, Dandi, Dandiwal, Danwar, Dargh, Daspal, Daul, Dehia, Deol, Deoania, Derija, Deswal, Dewala, Dewar, Dhadah, Dhakku, Dhalan, Dhali, Dhalon, Dhanda, Dhandsahar, Dhankar, Dhanoe, Dhanri, Dhar, Dhariwal, Dhasi, Dhaunchak, Dhed, Dher, Dhesi, Dhillon, Dhinsa, Dhol, Dhori, Dhotar, Dhudhi, Dhudi, Dihadrae, Dodi, Dolat or Dulhat, Domarah, Drigs, Dun, Dund Rai, Dusanj.
F: Faqartadari, Faqrakh
G: Gabhal, Gabir, Gadarah, Gadari, Gadwar, Gagrah, Gal, Galhar, Galwatrah, Gandu, Gandia, Gangah, Ganj, Ganwan, Ganwanen, Ganwen, Ganwari, Garalwal, Grewal, or Garewal, Garhar, Gat, Gatab, Gawaria, Gazdar, Gazzi, Gelan, Gendas, Ghagah, Ghagrah, Ghalo, Ghalo Kanjanarah, Ghalowaknun, Ghaman, Ghan, Ghanghas, Ghatwal, Ghumman, Gill, Gir, Girwanh, Godara, Gohra, Goj, Golia, Gondal, Gopalak, Gopa Rai, Gor, Gorae, Gorah, Goratah, Goraya, Gori, Goria, Goron, Gorwah, Gosal, Grewal, Guda, Gujjral, Guraha.
H: Hajra, Hakim, Hal, Hamar, Hamara, Hamath, Hamdi, Hamshirah, Hanbi, Handal, Hanjan, Hanjra, Hans, Hansalah, Hansarah, Harar, Hari, Harl, Hasam, Hathar, Hatiar, Hayre, Her or Porawal, Hijra or Hinjra, Holi, Hothi, Hondal or Hundal, Huda, Hural.
J: Jabar, Jagal, Jaglan, Jahanbar, Jahanbo, Jai, Jajjah or Jathol, Jakhar, Jali, Jamra, Janer, Jangali, Jangla, Jani, Janil, Jarah, Jaria, Jastar, Jatatier, Jathol, Jatowal, Jaun, Jawa, Jawia, Jhad, Jhakar, Jhalan, Jhalli, Jhamat, Jhandir, Jhari, Jhonjah, Jhor, Jhotah, Johal, Jojah, Joldaha, Jomar, Jondah, Jopo, Josan, Jun, Junhi, Jurai, Juta.
K: Kachala, Kachela, Kadian, Kahl, Kahlon, Kahon, Kahut, Kajlan, Kalar, Kalasarah, Kaler, Kaleroth, Kalhir, Kalhora or Sarai, Kalirai(most often Chammar), Kalirawan, Kal, Khand, Kallu, Kalo, Kalon, Kalru, Kamera, Kamon, Kanag, Kanchi, Kanda, Kanda, Kandwa, Kaneran, Kang, Kangrah, Kanjan, Kanon, Kanonkhor, Kanwari, Kanwen, Kapai, Karhalah, Kat, Kataria, Kator, Katrah, Kauri, Kawari, Kawera, Kejah, Kejar, Kele, Kerah, Kes, Khab, Khadal, Khadar, Khagah, Khajah, Khajan, Khak, Khakh, Khaki, Khal, Khalah, Khalani, Khalwah, Khamah, Khaman, Khand, Khanjan, Khar, Khara, Kharak, Kharora, Kharral, Kharwala, Kharye, Khatra, Khatrai, Khera, Khichar, Khichi, Khilchi, Khira, Khojah, Khadal, Khokhar, Khor, Khoreja, Khosar, Killa, Kodan, Kohar, Kohja, Kohri, Kokarah, Kokraya, Kuk, Kular, Kuliar, Kundu, Kuretanah.
L: Labar, Ladhana, Ladhar, Lahar, Lahil, Lak, Lakha, Lakhi, Lakhiwal, Lakwera, Lali, Lalli, Lang, Langah, Langanah, Lapeja, Lar, Lasai, Lat, Lathar, Lather, Laur, Lawar, Lekho, Lel, Leli, Lillas, Lodhara, Lodhran, Lodrah, Lohan, Lolah, Loleri, Lorimalanah, Lotha, Lunghere, Lurka.
M: Mader, Magsi, Mahad, Mahal, Mahil, Mahani, Mahir, Mahara, Maharana, Mahe, Mahesar, Mahi, Mahli or Malhi, Mahota, Mahra, Mahtarmalhi, Makol, Makoma, Mal, Malan, Malana, Malanhans, Malhah, Malhi, Mallhi, Malli, Mamar, Mamarha, Mamra, Mamrai, Mann, Mand, Mang, Mangan, Mangat, Mangath, Markanda, Markha, Marrar. Marula, Maryal,
Masan, Maswan, Mat, Matu, Megal, Megla, Mekan, Menas, Meri, Mermalha, Mesar, Metla, Miana, Mitru, Mochani, Mochhar, Mohal, Mond, Mondah, Mondi, Month, Mor, Moran, Morare, Motha, Mula, Mundtor.
N: Nachang, Nadho, ,Nagra, Nagri, Naich or Nech, Nain, Najar, Naloka, Nanad, Nadal, Nandlah, Nanwa, Narath, Narwal,
Narwan, Nat, Natri, Natt, Nawar, Neera, Neola, Nijjar, Nordaha, Nun.
O: Obhai, Odhana, Oesi, Ojal, Ojh, Okhal, Olakh, Olak, Omara, Otar, Otara, Othwal.
P: Padah, Padda, Pahal, Pahor, Pakimor, Palu, Panaich, Pan, Pandah, Pandeshi, Pandi, Panehal, Panjotarah, Panjuttha, Pannuhan, Panohan, Panon, Panwar, Panwaria, Parer, Parhar, Passani, Patoha, Paton, Patre, Paungar, Pawri, Phakiwar, Phalar, Phalron, Phalyon, Phiphra, Phoghat, Phulsawal, Pogal, Pohea, Pokhwat, Ponar, Poni, Poniya,
Pontah, Pote, Puni, Punia, Punn, Punnun, Purahwal, Puriwal.
Q: Qalhari, Qom, Qurejah.
R: Rahal, Rahan, Rahola, Rai (derivatives of, maybe found in Chammar), Raibdar, Rain, Rajwa, Rajwana, Rak, Rakhya, Ramana, Ran, Randhawa, Rando, Rangi, Ranidhar, Ratah, Rathi, Rathyah, Rato, Rattol, Rawaki, Rawat, Rawani, Rayar, Redhu, Reman, Riar or Riyar, Rihan, Rokhe, Ronga, Rongar, Roth, Ruhal.
S: Sabrahi, Sadhana, Sadho, Sadhra, Sagal, Sahansi, Saharan, Sahol, Sahon, Sahota, Sahrawat, Sahwal, Sajra, Sakhra, Salahah, Salotra, Samdarani, Samejah, Samor, Samra, Samrae, San, Sanbhal, Sanda, Sandah, Sandelah, Sandhal, Sandhar, Sandhi, Sandho, Sandhu, Sandi, Sangah, Sange, Sangere, Sanghera, Sanghi, Sangi, Sangoke, Sangrah, Sangrota, Sangwan, Sani, Sankhalan, Sanmoranah, Sanond, Sansi, Sapra, Sarai, Saran, Sarao, Sarawat, Saraye, Sardiye, Sargana, Sarlah, Saroiah, Sarot, Sarsar, Sarwar, Sarwi, Sategrah, Sathar, Satiar, Satwahan, Saunan, Seerha, Segar, Segrah, Sehi, Sekan, Sekhu or Sekhon, Sekun, Semi, Seni, Serah, Seti, Sewarah, Sewari, Shajra, Shekhon, Shekhra, Shergill, Sheroran, Sian, Siar, Sibia, Sidhu, or Sidhu-Barar, Sindhu, or Sandhu, Sinhmar, Soha, Sohi, Sojani, Solgi, Solkah, Sonal, Sontra, Soro, Sotbah, Sotrak, Suda, Sumra, Sura, Surwat, Swanch.
T: Tajar, Tajra, Tak-Seroa, Talah, Taleri, Talot, Tanwari, Taoni, Tanor,Tara, Tarar, Tareli, Tarholi, Tatla, Tatli, Tawri, Tewatia, Thahal, Thiara, Thind, Thotha, Tiwana, Todi, Tokas, Tola, Toniyan, Trag, Tulla, Tung, Tur.
U: Udhana, Uppal, Uthi, Uthwal, Uttamzais.
V: Valana, Varaich.
W: Wabah, Wadah, Wadala, Wadhwa, Wag, Wagan, Wagar, Wagh, Wagha, Waghmal, Wagi, Wahal, Wahala, Wahandi, Wahgah, Wahlah, Wahniwal or Bahniwal, Wahroka, Wahujah, Wains, Wairar, Wairsi, Wajar, Wajba, Wajla, Wajwarah, Walar, Wallerai, Walot, Wamak, Wanda, Wandar, Wanghaya, Wanjo, Wanwar, Warah, Waran, Warbhu, Warhe, Wark, Warya, Warye, Wasir, Wasli, Watarah, Wato, Welan, Wijhi, Wirk or Virk, Wulana.
Y: Yohal.
RAMGHARIA SURNAMES:
B: Bansal, Bansil, Bhachu, Bharaj, Bhari, Bhilku, Bhogal, Bilku
C: Chaggar
G: Ghatora
H: Hunjan
J: Jandhu, Jheeta , Jeeta, Jita
K: Kalsi, Karde, Kundi, Khundi
L: Lota
M: Manku, Mistri, Mudhar
N: Nandra
P: Panesar, Phachu, Plaha
S: Sagoo, Saguu, Sembhi, Sembi, Semhi, Sihra, Sihria, Sirha, Slaitch, Slaach, Suri
V: Virdee, Virdi or Birdee(i)
CHIMBA, DARSI, TAANK-KSHATRYIA AND HALVYI SURNAMES:
B: Bariya
D: Dilbar, Dilber
G: Guru
J: Jassal
N: Nijjhar, Nijar
T: Tahim
V: Virhia
CHAMMAR, LOHAAR AND CHURRAH SURNAMES:
B: Bains(M/L), Brar(M/L), Bhatti
D: Dhami(M/L), Dulai(M/L)
G: Gill(M/L), Ghatora, Ghaiwal, Gata-Aura
K: Kalirai(M/L), Kalair
R: Rai(M/L), Rooprai
S: Sahota(M/L), Samara, Sandhu(M/L), Sidhu(M/L), Shergill(M/L), Summal, Summan