A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes

What Is your Surname? What caste does it fall into?

While this may sound offensive, it doesn’t have to be. After all Castes and surnames are Just a form of Identification. If we take it as nothing more than this, there is no reason to get offended. Furthermore, many of us have little knowledge about the category of caste we fall into. We want to know that but we give no attention to it, neither we discuss it with our parents and relatives.

Now knowing where you belong is not only important for the sake of your identity but also for the sake of preserving your cultural heritage as well. There are a few things that are a trade secret of your castes. Some are even specific to one specific subcaste of the surname

So, to make this matter convenient, here we have come up with the lists of castes and their respective sub-castes which will make you crystal clear about the castes-related facts.

Side Note* This list is purely for educational purposes and is here just to give you information

CASTES (JATS) AND SUBCASTES(THARS)

A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes

Nepal is said to be a harmonious garden of 4 castes and 36 ethnicities. This stands true especially in this modern era where the distinction between them is getting blurred. This is a rather good thing as the caste-specific rituals and traditions will be enjoyed by all, and be spread all over Nepal. This in turn will make them easier to be preserved since a tradition or a ritual only truly dies when no one remembers it.

When this happens people will know how to perform each and every ritual of Nepal, regardless of the Castes. However, this has not happened yet but we are hopeful. For now let’s just take a look at the castes and their sub-castes (surnames) in hopes that someday, we will all be one single flower with many variants.

1. Brahmin/Bahun:

Adhikari
Alphaltopi
Am Gai
Arjal
Bagyal
Baj gai
Baral
Bharari
Bhurtyal
Bikral
Chanvala Gai
Chapagai
Dahal
Dangal
Devakota
Dhakal
Dhungana
Dhurari
Doeja
Dongyal
Dotiyal
Dulal
Gairaha Pipli
Gaithaula
Ghartmel
Ghartyal
Ghurc
Khannal
Tumrakot
Ukniyal
Vasta gai

Khatiwada
Koikyal
Koirala
Lamsal
Loityal
Loiyal
Maharajila
Muthbari
Neopanya
Nepalya
Osti
Paneru
Parajuli
Parijai Kavala
Paudyal
Pokhrel
Punwal
Regmi
Rijal
Rimal
Risyal
Rukai
Rupakheti
Sapkota
Sattyal
Sighdel
Simkhara
Singyal
Soti
Sutar
Suyal

2. Bahun or Chetri caste of Karnali region but not included:

Dhongyal
Loyal
Lamsal
Khukhriyal
Dangal
Sikhmiyal
Bhiryal
Poudel
Bikral
Khanal
Batyal
Ganjal
Sijal
Chonvala gai
Amgai
Bajgai
Satyagai
Devakota
Garhtola
Soera
Balya
Gilal
Chonial
Regmi

Chalatani
Kelathoni
Muri bus
Alphaltopi
Parijai kavala
Bamankota
Porseni
Homyagai
Tumrakot
Rupakheti
Khatiwada
Neopanya
Dahal
Soti
Osti
Kandaraih
Dhungana
Pungyal
Prasai
Tewari
Bhattarai
Khatri khatri
Satonya

3. Khas Chetri:

I. Thapa:

Bagyal
Thakuryal
Palami
Suyal
Maharajil
Lamichhanya
Pawar
Ghimirya
Khulal
Parajuli
Deoja
Gudar

III. Khadka:

Maharji
Lakangi
Kalikotya

VI. Kunwar:

Bagalya
Khulal
Khadka
Arjal
Baniya
Dani

V. Bhandari:

Raghuvansi
Lama
Sijapati
AdhikariDhami
Thararai
Pokhrel
Musiah
Khadsena
Thakuri
Bishta

4. Chetri:

Burathoki
Raya
Ravat
Katwal
Khati
Maghati
Chohan
Boghati
Savan
Mahat
Barwal
Bohara

Dangi
Raimanjhi
Bhukandi
Bhusal
Kutal
Dikshit
Prasai
Chokhal
Chohara
Durrah
Chiloti

Shaha
Shahi
Malla
Singh
Sen
Maan
Chohan
Chand
Hamal
Ruchal
Jiva
Rakhsya
Samal
Uchhai
Raika
Khan or Khand
Jalandhari
Kalyal

6. Magar:

Bhusal
Thapa
Rana
Pun
Aley
Aslami
Yahayo
Saru
Arghounle
Gyangmi
Palami
Gacha
Thada
Byangnasi
Phyuyali
Lamichhanya
Gandharma
Kyapchaki
Durralama
Maski
Charmi
Dutt
Granja
Namjali
Marsyandi
Panthi

Gelang
Chumi
Lengali
Chituaorai
Singjali
Keli
Jhandi
Yangdi
Jhari
Bareya
Rijal
Yangmi
Suryavansi
Thokchaki
Sithung
Lahakpa
Pachhai
Sarangi
Gonda
Dukhchaki
Meng
Sripali
Sijapati
Gharti
Lamsal
Suyal
Rakhal

7. Gurungs:

Ghale
Byapri
Vamjan
Lama
Thathung
Gothi
Gondok
Ghotane
Gohori
Barahi
Gharti
Lamichhanya
Siddh
Karamati
Gosti
Bagalya
Chada
Charki
Khati
Guabari
Palami

Pengi
Dhakaren
Khaptari
Ghundane
Dharen
Jimel
Lopate
Lothang
Bulung
Shakya lama
Golanya
Khangya
Tange
Ghonya
Paindi
Mengi
Dhalama
Kurangi
Suryavansi lama
Madan

8. Kami:

Agri
Acharya
Aafladhoti
Wokheda
Kadara (Kandara)
Kasara
Kallohar
Kalikote
Kaliraj (Shahoo)
Kumaki
Kaini
Koirala
Koli
Khadkathoki
Khapangi
Khati
Gajmer
Gajurel
Gadal
Gadaili
Gahate (Gahatraj),
Giri
Gotame
Gowa
Ghatani
Ghamal
GhartiGhimire
Ghamghotle
Ghimire (Sijapati and Ghimire also called “Shobh”)
Ghotane
Chilime
Tiwari
Chhistal
Jandkami
Thagunna
Thatera
Tiruwa
Dayal/Diyali
Dalami
Darnal
Dudraj (Dudhraj)
Dural, Deupate
Dewal
Dhamala
Dhanik (Dhanuk)
Niraula
Nepal
Panthi

Portel
Poudel
Baraili/Barali/Baral
Bunchebhale
Banskota
Bipali
Bhatta
Bhattarai
Bhusal
Mahilipar
Mar (Mahar)
Risyal or Rasali (or Rasaili)
Rahpal
Rajilohar
Ramdam/Ramdamoo
Rijal
Ruchal
Raikal
Lakandri
Latopi
Labad
Lamgade(It has three subcategory – Lamakarmi, Lamichhane and Poudeli)
Lohani
Lwagun/Luhagun
Shahsankar
Shahoo
Sherala
Sadasankar/Sattasankar
Sapkota
Sani
Sundhuwa
Sunchyuri/Sunchiuri
Singaure
Sijapati
Sirpali (Shripali)
Suni
Setipar
Seti Mahara
Setisural
Sonam
Himchyuri etc.
Palla (Ya)
Parajuli
Padhyawati
Pagri
Pulami
Pokharel

9. Damai:

Asasai
Aauji
Kandel
Katuwal
Karki (Khulal, Mudula, Lama, Sutar)
Kalakhati, Koirala, Khatiwada
Guinde
Gautam (Gotame)
Ghatani
Ghale
Chahar
Chuhan
Chhinal
Jairu
Thagunna
Thatal
Daunde
Dholi (also used by those who forgot their sub-caste)
Dhyaki
Tiwari/Tikhatri
Thapa
Darnal
Damai Pariyar
Damai Parel
Das
Deukar
Dewal
Nagwag
Nagwan
Nagarchi
Negi
Nepal
Naubag
Pariyar (Achhame, Chudal)
Panchkoti/Panchakoti
Bahak
Pokharel

Bagchan
Bagdas
Budhapothi
Boodhaprithi
Baiju
Bhandari
Bhitrikoti
Bhusal
Magar
Mahate
Mahara
Male
Ranpal
Ranpahenli
Ratna/Ratne
Ratnapariyar
Rana
Raigain
Raika
Ryainjhyain
Lamghate
Luintel
Shinal
Shilal
Shiwa/Siwa (Kukhure, Gotame, Bhede)
Samudrasai
Sunal
Sunam
Sunam,
Sunchyuri/Sunchiuri
Sudas
Sasmundra
Shahassamudra
Sooji
Hingmang
Hudke etc.
Bardewa

10. Sarki:

Achchhami/Achhami
Uparkoti
Upreti
Kamar
Koirala
Khatiwada
Giri
Gaire
Gairepipan
Gothe
Ghimire
Chamar
Chudal
Chuhan
Chhatkuli
Thagunna
Chhamarki
Thakursya
Thararai
Dale
Tolangi
Thapaliya
Thak
Daulakoti/Dyaulakoti
Dabe
Dahal
Dulal
Dhamel
Naghali
Pahenli (Panyeli)

Purkoti
Batsyal/Basel
Bamrel
Bayalkoti
Bastakoti
Bisunkhe
Bogati
Bhangyal
Bhul/Bheyanl
Bhurtel
Mangrati/Magarati (Aaththane, Kala, Khilinge, Doodh, Dhur, Barhathane)
Majboti
Malbule
Malbok
Mudel
Ramtel
Ruchal
Roila
Rokka
Lamjel
Lamsal
Shahi
Shrimati/Sirimal
Sarmaute
Siraute
Surkheni
Suyenl
Sejwal
Hitang etc.

11. Gaines:

Adhikari
Kami
Kala Kaushik
Kala Poudel
Kalichan
Gosai
Jogi
Thakuri
Turki
Bahun
Budhathoki
Baikar/Wagyakar
Baistha (Bistha)

Meghnath
Bishwakarma
Bishnupad
Samudri
Sai
Sursaman
Setaparbate
Setichan
Hukchingrana etc.
Bogate
Bhusal
Bhusalparbate
Maheshwar

12. Newar

Amatya
Awa
Awal
Awale
Balami
Bania
Banmala
Bha
Bhaju
Bhikshu
Byanjankar
Chamkhalak
Chitrakar
Chyame
Dali
Dangol
Darshandhari
Deola
Desar
Gurju
Guruvacharya
Hada
Halahulu
Halwai
Joshi
Ka:mi
Kakchapati
Kansakar
Kapali
Karanjit
Karmacharya
Kayastha
Khadgi
Kulu
Kumah
Kumhal
Kusle
Lakhey
Madhikarmi (Halwai)
Maharjan
Malakar
Mali
Malla

Nagarkoti
Nakarmi
Napit
Nepali
Nyachhyon
Pahari
Patrabansh
Pode
Pradhan
Pradhananga
Prajapati
Pujari
Pulu
Putwar
Rajbahak
Rajbhandari
Rajkarnikar
Rajopadhyaya
Rajvanshi
Ranjit
Ranjitkar
Sayami
Shahi
Shakya
Shilpakar
Shrestha
Sikarmi (Sthapit)
Sikhrakar
SIlakar
Sindurakar
Singh
Sivacharya
Suwal
Tamrakar
Tandukar
Tepe
Tuladhar
Vaidya
Vajracharya
Manandhar
Maskey
Mathema
Mulmi

13. Tamang

Dong
Grangdan
Goley
Titung
Bal
Dimdong
Gongba
Gyamden
Dartang
Gangtang
Yonzon
Bonzan
Dumzan
Lopchan
Mikchan
Ghising
Lo
Glan
Yhesur
Moktan
Syangdan
Pakhrin
Syangbo
Thokar
Rumba
Zimba
Gyaba
Waiba
Gongba
Lopchan
Chothen
Blenden
Shyongsun
Nharten
Galden
Thing
Marpa

Nyasur
Singar
Blon
Lo
Loba
Ghising
Glan
Marpa
Thing
Toisang
Tupa
Blon
Syangbo
Syangdan
Singar
Yhesur
Thing
Toisang
Blon
Bajyu
Lungpa
Gyapa
Rumba
Zimba
Waiba
Gongba
Thokar
Moktan
Syangdan
Pakhrin
Syangbo
Pakhrin
Syangdan
Moktan
Syangbo
Thokar
Toisang

Conclusion

Now Before we go, we have to acknowledge that we are all the same. Regardless of which caste or ethnicity you belong to, it is just a form of identification but nothing more. It will be pretty hard to identify someone if everyone had the same caste. While this is being said, we also have to acknowledge that this division of caste has created discrimination.

While it is indeed slowly reducing, the process of removing discrimination is a long process. A lot of youths do not care about things such as caste. However, a lot still do. So let’s make our world a better place and treat each other as humans and peers rather than people of castes.

A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes