A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes

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:

A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes
  • 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:

A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes
  • 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: 

A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes

I. Thapa:

  1. Bagyal
  2. Thakuryal
  3. Palami
  4. Suyal
  5. Maharajil
  6. Lamichhanya
  7. Pawar
  8. Ghimirya
  9. Khulal
  10. Parajuli
  11. Deoja
  12. Gudar

III. Khadka: 

  1. Maharji
  2. Lakangi
  3. Kalikotya

VI. Kunwar:

  1. Bagalya
  2. Khulal
  3. Khadka
  4. Arjal 
  5. Baniya 
  6. Dani

V. Bhandari:

  1. Raghuvansi
  2. Lama
  3. Sijapati
  4. AdhikariDhami
  5. Thararai
  6. Pokhrel
  7. Musiah
  8. Khadsena
  9. Thakuri
  10. Bishta 


4. Chetri:

A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes
  • Burathoki
  • Raya
  • Ravat
  • Katwal
  • Khati
  • Maghati
  • Chohan
  • Boghati
  • Savan
  • Mahat
  • Barwal
  • Bohara
  • Dangi
  • Raimanjhi
  • Bhukandi
  • Bhusal
  • Kutal
  • Dikshit
  • Prasai
  • Chokhal
  • Chohara
  • Durrah 
  • Chiloti
A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes
  1. Shaha
  2. Shahi
  3. Malla
  4. Singh
  5. Sen
  6. Maan
  7. Chohan
  8. Chand
  9. Hamal
  10. Ruchal
  11. Jiva
  12. Rakhsya
  13. Samal
  14. Uchhai
  15. Raika
  16. Khan or Khand
  17. Jalandhari
  18. Kalyal 

6. Magar: 

A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes
  • 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:

A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes
  • 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:

A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes
  • 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:

A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes
  • 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:

A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes
  • 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 

A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes
  • 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 

A Comprehensive List of Nepali Surnames and Castes
  • 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.

Hope you find the information you are searching for here in this article. If you want to get more content related to this tell us in the comment section below. For further queries follow Tips Nepal and show some love. 

Recommended Links:
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