Kashmiri Surnames

Mohit Sapru Posted On : December 22, 2015

4 min, 669 words

Categories: Kashmir

Among the many characteristics of Kashmiri Pandits are their characteristic surnames. For such a tiny ethnic community 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 itself. 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

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

Place🔗

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

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

Further reading: https://kashmirasitis.com/surnames/