Among the many characteristics of Kashmiri Pandits are their characteristic surnames. For such a tiny ethnic group it is amazing to have such a wide and contrasting range of surnames. It also reflects a streak of humor, well entrenched in the Kashmiri psyche even today.
How such surnames got stuck with individual families is an arduous task for research and a subject in tself. These surnames have been classified under varied categories like those of vegetables, flowers, fruits, cereals, utensils, animals, birds, state of mind or body, profession, place names etc.
Some of the surnames could have been left out, which the readers could contribute to make the list more up to date.
Vegetables
Hak, Kangich, Muj (Mujoo) Nadir, Wangan (Wangnoo)
Flowers/trees/garden
Bagh, Boon (Boni), Chaman, Jafir, Posh, Puship,, Zaifrani
Fruits
Alich, Badam, Bamtsunt, Glass (Cherry), Meva, Pambuchh, Tang, Tul
Cereals
Channa, Kanna, Makai, Moong (Monga), Muth (Muthoo)
Other Edibles
Anima, Batta, Damni, Namak, Noon, Pakmund, Watt, Wugra (Ogra)
Spices
Badian, Mirchwangan, Shonth
Utensils etc.
Anit, Bohgan, Choncha, Dul (Dulloo), Kenz, Khasu, Kretch, Krund
(Krundu/Kundu), Masaldan, Parwa,, Pyala, Shup, Taku, Tsong, Wakhul
(Wakhloo)
Stationery
Kagaz, Kalamdan, Parcha
Other Articles
Aichkan, Bilcha, Loong, Magazine, Mohil, Moza, Parmana, Pattoo, Pulhor
(Pulharu), Renta, Saban, Tsangij
Sounds
Bishta, Chirev (Chirvoo), Duf, Thapthap, Thas, Thus (Thussu), Wufa
State of Mind/Body etc.
Adkal, Bradu, Chattoo, Gorekh, Jatta, Kaboo, Kachroo, Kalloo, Khosa,
Khoshu, Madan, Mat, Mattoo, Mushran, Nees, Nassi, Pahalwan, Safaya,
Shoda, Shorabi, Taploo, Thapal, Trakru, Tchapal, Vashnev
Disabled or Afflicted
Chanta, Gigu (Gigoo), Kanchet, Karihul (Karihaloo), Kharu (Kharoo),
Khenkh, Leng (Langoo), Muku, Shongal (Shungloo), Tramboo, Tunda, Tutu,
Wen(Wangu)
Diseases
Chareg, Charagbeg, Zaharbad
Animals
Brer (Braru), Dhand, Gagar, Hangal (Hangloo), Hapat, Hastu, Heswal,
Jawansher, Kachwa, Kath, Khacher, Khar (Kher), Padar, Pannz (Panzoo),
Pash (Pashu), Shall, Sher, Wandur, Woont (Oont)
Birds
Bilbichru, Bulbul, Cherbacha, Janwar, Kaw, Kantroo, Kakav, Kokroo,
Koltoonch, Kotru, Kukil (Kokiloo), Pachhan, Shoga, Tota, Tchinhangar
Insects etc.
Bambroo, Bumsin, Gad (Fish), Kem (Kemmu), Machha, Zallar
Slang
Bokut, Chobar, Gaan, Kuchir (Kuchroo), Layuk, Ledh, Mandal, Tengloo,
Tukra, Want
Common Surnames
Bhan, Bhat, Dhar, Ganjoo (Ganju), Koul/Kaul, Pandit, Pandita, Raina,
Razdan, Tikoo/Tiku, Zutshi
After Places
Arigami, Babdemb, Beru, Chandpuri, Chhatabali, Doda, Draboo, Hali,
Hanjura, Kakapori, Kandhari, Khardori, Kilam, Lahoori, Lalpori,
Mahanoori, Marhatta, Parimoo, Punjabi, Purib, Qasba, Sathu, Seru,
Shivpori, Sumbli, Sopori, Thatoo, Troprei, Tsrer, Turki, Vesu, Zalpori
After Profession etc.
Adalti, Aima, Akhoon, Atil (Atal), Bagati, Barbuz, Bazaz, Chowdhary,
Daftari, Dalal, Dandar (Dandroo), Darbari, Darmarthi, Gaddu, Ganz,
Garisaz, Garyali, Goor (Guru), Gosain (Gosani), Hakim, Jailkhani,
Jangi, Jyotshi, Kabadi, Kander (Kandroo), Kannungo (Quanoongo), Kazi
(Qazi), Karwani, Kashkari, Khar, Kharwal, Khazanchi, Kotha, Kothdar,
Kotwal, Lalla, Machama, Mahaldar, Malla, Mallik, Marakban, Menzar,
Munshi, Nageb, Naqaib, Nagri, Nagari, Nalka, Nanwai, Navid, Patwalli,
Panyech, Pariyer, Patwer (Patwari), Peer, Qazi, Raida, Rangar
(Rangroo), Rawal, Razgari, Reyazi, Sadhu, Saraf, Sardar, Shair,
Shakdar, Shali, Sonar, Tabardar, Tangwel, Tarwel (Tarwali), Teli,
Thalchoor, Tilwen, Toshkhani, Tsur (Tchur), Vakil, Wattal, Waza,
Wazir, Zer (Zaroo)
Miscellaneous
Agha, Ambardar, Babu, Badshah, Bakaya, Bakshi, Bali, Bamzai, Bangroo,
Bhandari, Bibi, Bindroo (Bindru), Buj (Buju), Bushan, Chagtu,
Chakbast, Chaku, Challu (Challoo), Chatta, Checha, Chrungoo (Chrungu),
Dass, Dassi, Datt, Deemb, Drabu (Draboo), Duda, Durrani, Fotedar,
Gadroo, Garoo, Garyali, Gheeru, Ghaid, Goja, Guris, Gurtu, Hakku,
Haksar, Handoo, Hangar, Hafiz, Happa, Harkar, Hashia, Jad, Jagyasoo,
Jalali, Jan, Janda, Jattu, Jinsi, Kadalbuju, Kak, Kakar, Kalla,
Kampassi, Kannaw, Kaptan, Kar, Katal, Katju, Kenu, Khabri, Khah,
Khoda, Khodai, Khodbali, Kis (Kissu),Kisroo, Kitchlu (Kitchloo),
Kohistani, Kuchhey, Kunzru, Labroo, Langar, Lidhoo/Lidoo, Mam,
Manvati, Mantoo, Mawa, Mazari, Mirakhur, Mirza, Miskeen, Misri, Miya,
Mogul, Mukroo, Nar, Naru, Narayan, Naz, Nehru, Nizam, Oakhan, Pajnoo
(Pajan), Pandoh, Peshin, Potass, Pottar, Rafiz, Raghu, Rajput, Rambal,
Rayu, Reshi, Revu (Revoo), Sahib, Salman, Sapru (Saproo), Sar, Sas,
Sazawal, Sharma, Shashoo/Shishu, Shongar, Sidha, Siboo, Sultan, Suman,
Swaroop, Tak,Talashi, Tankhah, Tarozhar, Teng, Thassu, Thathu, Tikil,
Trisal (Trichal), Tufchi, Tutoo, Vainkhana, Vaas, Vuthu (Wuthu),
Wachu, Wali, Wanchoo, Warikoo, Yechh, Zadoo.
The author(B. K. Raina) is a retired Director from Geological Survey of India