वंशावली Labs

Castes, surnames and gotras of Nepal

Census and insights

Nepal's population by caste and ethnicity in the 2021 census, and how the surnames in this archive are distributed.

National Census 2021

Population by caste and ethnicity

Nepal's population of 29,164,578 across 142 listed castes and ethnic groups. The table follows the census order; the sub-caste, gotra and language columns are the archive's notes.

Listed groups
142
125 from 2011 + 17 new
Mother tongues
124
Nepali 44.86%, Maithili 11.05%
Indigenous Janajati
35.81%
Magar, Tharu, Tamang and more
Khas-Arya
31.25%
Chhetri, Bahun, Thakuri, Sanyasi
Dalit
13.80%
Hill 8.53%, Terai 5.27%
Madhesi (non-Dalit)
15.30%
Yadav, Teli, Koiri, Kurmi and more
#Caste / ethnicityPopulation 2021Surnames
1Kshetriक्षेत्रीKhas-AryaSpelling updated from Chhetree to Kshetri4,796,99516.45%54 surnames
2Brahman - Hillपहाडी ब्राह्मण (बाहुन)Khas-Arya3,292,37311.29%120 surnames
3MagarमगरIndigenous Janajati2,013,4986.9%47 surnames
4TharuथारुIndigenous JanajatiRanatharu categorized as separate caste in 20211,807,1246.2%47 surnames
5TamangतामाङIndigenous Janajati1,639,8665.62%51 surnames
6Bishwokarmaविश्वकर्मा (कामी/सुनार/लोहार)DalitRenamed from 'Kami' (कामी) to 'Bishwokarma' (विश्वकर्मा) in 20211,470,0105.04%14 surnames
7MusalmanमुसलमानMuslim1,418,6774.86%27 surnames
8Newa: (Newar)नेवा: (नेवार)NewarRenamed from 'Newar' to 'Newa: (Newar)' (नेवा:) in 20211,341,3634.6%101 surnames
9YadavयादवMadhesi / Terai1,228,5814.21%29 surnames
10Raiराई (किरात खम्बु)Indigenous JanajatiSeveral Rai linguistic communities separately reported640,6742.2%19 surnames
11Pariyarपरियार (दमाई/ढोली/सुचिकार)DalitRenamed from 'Damai/Dholi' to 'Pariyar' (परियार) in 2021565,9321.94%7 surnames
12Gurungगुरुङ (तमु)Indigenous Janajati543,7901.86%6 surnames
13ThakuriठकुरीKhas-Arya494,4701.7%18 surnames
14Mijarमिजार (सार्की/चर्मकार)DalitRenamed from 'Sarki' to 'Mijar' (मिजार) in 2021452,2291.55%5 surnames
15TeliतेलीMadhesi / Terai431,3471.48%2 surnames
16Yakthung/Limbuयाक्थुङ / लिम्बुIndigenous JanajatiRenamed from 'Limbu' to 'Yakthung/Limbu' in 2021414,7041.42%42 surnames
17Chamar/Harijan/Ramचमार / हरिजन / रामDalit393,2551.35%5 surnames
18Koiri/Kushwahaकोइरी / कुशवाहाMadhesi / TeraiSpelling updated to Koiri/Kushwaha in 2021355,7071.22%2 surnames
19Kurmiकुर्मीMadhesi / Terai277,7860.95%—
20MusaharमुसहरDalit264,9740.91%1 surnames
21DhanukधानुकMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत252,1050.86%2 surnames
22Dusadh/Pasawan/Pasiदुसाध / पासवान / पासीDalit250,9770.86%3 surnames
23Brahman - Taraiतराई ब्राह्मण (मैथिल/तिरहुते)Madhesi / Terai217,7740.75%17 surnames
24Mallahaमल्लाहMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत207,0060.71%—
25Sanyasi/Dasnamiसन्यासी / दशनामीKhas-Arya198,8490.68%1 surnames
26KewatकेवटMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत184,2980.63%1 surnames
27KanuकानुMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत152,8680.52%—
28ForeignerForeignerOtherCensus 2011 देखि यथावत137,4070.47%—
29Hajam/Thakurहजाम / ठाकुर (नाउ)Madhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत136,4870.47%1 surnames
30KalwarकलवारMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत134,9140.46%—
31RajbansiराजवंशीIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत132,5640.45%1 surnames
32Sherpaशेर्पाIndigenous Janajati130,6370.45%2 surnames
33KumalकुमालIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत129,7020.44%—
34Tatma/Tatwaतत्मा / तत्वDalitCensus 2011 देखि यथावत126,0180.43%3 surnames
35Khatweखत्वेDalitCensus 2011 देखि यथावत124,0620.43%—
36Gharti/Bhujelघर्ती / भुजेलIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत120,2450.41%—
37MajhiमाझीIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत111,3520.38%—
38NuniyaनुनियाMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत108,7230.37%—
39Sundiसुण्डीMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत107,3800.37%—
40DhobiधोबीDalitCensus 2011 देखि यथावत101,0890.35%3 surnames
41LoharलोहारDalitCensus 2011 देखि यथावत100,6800.35%—
42BinबिनMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत96,9740.33%—
43Kumharकुम्हारMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत95,7240.33%—
44SonarसोनारMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत93,3800.32%—
45Chepang/Prajaचेपाङ / प्रजाIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत84,3640.29%1 surnames
46Ranatharuराना थारुIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत83,3080.29%—
47DanuwarदनुवारIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत82,7840.28%—
48Sunuwarसुनुवार (कोइँच)Indigenous Janajati78,9100.27%13 surnames
49HaluwaiहलुवाईMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत71,7960.25%—
50BaraeeबरईMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत68,0110.23%2 surnames
51Bantar/Sardarबान्तर / सरदारDalitCensus 2011 देखि यथावत61,6870.21%—
52KaharकहारMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत59,8820.21%—
53Santhalसन्थालIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत57,3100.2%—
54BaniyanबनियाँMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत53,6550.18%2 surnames
55KathabaniyanकथबनियाँMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत52,4660.18%—
56Badhaee/BadheeबढईMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत52,4370.18%—
57Oraon/Kudukhउराँव / कुडुखIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत46,8400.16%—
58RajputराजपूतMadhesi / Terai46,5770.16%19 surnames
59AmatअमातMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत46,4710.16%—
60Gangaiगङ्गईIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत41,4460.14%—
61LodhलोधMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत39,8720.14%—
62Gaderi/Bhediyarगडेरी / भेडियारMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत35,4970.12%—
63GhaleघलेIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत35,4340.12%—
64MarwadiमारवाडीOtherCensus 2011 देखि यथावत33,8030.12%—
65Kayasthaकायस्थMadhesi / Terai33,5020.11%7 surnames
66KulungकुलुङIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत33,3880.11%—
67ThamiथामीIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत32,7430.11%—
68BhumiharभूमिहारMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत32,1990.11%1 surnames
69RajbharराजभरMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत29,2400.1%—
70RauniyarरौनियारMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत27,2580.09%—
71DhimalधिमालIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत25,6430.09%—
72KhawasखवासIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत22,5510.08%—
73TajpuriyaताजपुरियाIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत20,9890.07%—
74KoriकोरीDalitCensus 2011 देखि यथावत20,6700.07%1 surnames
75DomडोमDalitCensus 2011 देखि यथावत19,9010.07%3 surnames
76MaliमालीMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत19,6050.07%—
77DaraiदराईIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत18,6950.06%—
78Yakkhaयाक्खाIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत17,4600.06%—
79BhoteभोटेIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत15,8180.05%—
80Bantawaबान्तावाIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत15,7190.05%—
81RajdhobराजधोबMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत15,3910.05%—
82DhuniaधुनियाMuslimCensus 2011 देखि यथावत15,0330.05%—
83PahariपहरीIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत15,0150.05%—
84Bangaliबङ्गालीOtherCensus 2011 देखि यथावत13,8000.05%—
85Gondh/Gondगोण्डIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत12,2670.04%—
86Chamlingचाम्लिङIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत12,1780.04%—
87Chhantyal/Chhantelछन्त्यालIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत11,9630.04%—
88ThakaliथकालीIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत11,7410.04%4 surnames
89BadiवादीDalitCensus 2011 देखि यथावत11,4700.04%1 surnames
90BoteबोटेIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत11,2580.04%—
91PunपुनIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत9,8270.03%—
92Hyolmo/Yholmopaह्योल्मोIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत9,8190.03%—
93KhatikखटिकDalitCensus 2011 देखि यथावत9,1520.03%—
94YamphuयामफुIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत9,1110.03%—
95KewaratकेवरतIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत8,8090.03%—
96Baram / BaramuबारामIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत7,8590.03%—
97DevदेवMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत7,4180.03%—
98NachhiringनाछिरिङIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत7,3000.03%—
99Gaineगाईने (गन्धर्व)DalitCensus 2011 देखि यथावत6,9710.02%2 surnames
100BahingबाहिङIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत6,5470.02%—
101ThulungथुलुङIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत6,2390.02%—
102JirelजिरेलIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत6,0310.02%7 surnames
103KhalingखालिङIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत5,8890.02%—
104OthersOthersOtherCensus 2011 देखि यथावत5,8880.02%—
105AathpahariyaआठपहरियाIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत5,8780.02%—
106Dolpoडोल्पोIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत5,8180.02%—
107SarbariaसरबरियाDalitCensus 2011 देखि यथावत5,7930.02%—
108MewahangमेवाहाङIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत5,7270.02%—
109Byasi/Saukaब्याँसी / सौकाIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत5,7180.02%—
110DuraदुराIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत5,5810.02%—
111Mecheमेचे (बोडो)Indigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत5,1930.02%—
112RajiराजीIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत5,1250.02%—
113Sampangसाम्पाङIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत4,8410.02%—
114Chai/Khulautचाई / खुलौटMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत4,8050.02%—
115Not statedNot statedOtherCensus 2011 देखि यथावत4,4360.02%—
116Chumba/Nubriचुम्बा / नुब्रीIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत4,4140.02%—
117Dhankar/ Dharikarधानकार / धरिकारDalitCensus 2011 देखि यथावत4,0900.01%—
118Mundaमुण्डाIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत3,5890.01%—
119Lepchaलेप्चाIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत3,5780.01%—
120Patharkatt/ Kushwadiyaकुशवाडिया / पत्थरकट्टाIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत3,3430.01%—
121HayuहायूIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत3,0690.01%—
122BeldarबेलदारMadhesi / TeraiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत3,0370.01%—
123HalkhorहलखोरDalitCensus 2011 देखि यथावत2,9290.01%1 surnames
124NatuwaनटुवाDalitCensus 2011 देखि यथावत2,8960.01%—
125LoharungलोहोरुङIndigenous JanajatiCensus 2011 देखि यथावत2,5980.01%—
126KamarकमरMadhesi / Terai२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत2,5320.01%—
127Dhandiधान्डीDalit२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत2,3390.01%—
128DoneदोनIndigenous Janajati२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत2,1250.01%—
129Mugal/MugumमुगालIndigenous Janajati२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत2,1240.01%—
130Punjabi/Sikhपञ्जाबी / सिखOther२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत1,8460.01%—
131Karmarongकर्मारोङIndigenous Janajati२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत1,6630.01%—
132ChidimarचिडीमारDalit२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत1,6150.01%1 surnames
133KisanकिसानIndigenous Janajati२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत1,4790.01%—
134Lhopaल्होपाIndigenous Janajati२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत1,3900%—
135KalarKalarOther२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत9310%—
136Phreeफ्रीIndigenous Janajati२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत9210%—
137KocheकोचेIndigenous Janajati२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत8470%—
138TopkegolaTopkegolaOther२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत6420%—
139RauteRauteOther२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत5660%—
140WalungवालुङIndigenous Janajati२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत4810%—
141LhomiLhomiOther२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत3550%—
142SurelसुरेलIndigenous Janajati२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत3180%—
143Kusundaकुसुन्डाIndigenous Janajati२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत2530%—
144BankariyaबनकरियाIndigenous Janajati२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत1800%—
145NurangNurangOther२०७८ जनगणनामा नयाँ सूचीकृत360%—

145 / 145 rows · Source: National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity, Language and Religion report (National Statistics Office)

696 surnames in the archive

Split by cluster.

  • Indigenous Janajati244 (35.1%)
  • Khas-Arya203 (29.2%)
  • Newar91 (13.1%)
  • Dalit72 (10.3%)
  • Madhesi / Terai57 (8.2%)
  • Muslim29 (4.2%)

Gotra, pravara and clan

What is a gotra?

A gotra is the name of the sage lineage passed down the father's line. In Khas-Arya and Vedic tradition, people of one gotra count as descendants of one ancestor, which is why marriage within a gotra is avoided.

What is a pravara?

A pravara lists the principal sages after the gotra's founding rishi - usually one, three or five names. It is recited with the gotra in ritual, and some clans also look at it when two gotras' pravaras overlap heavily.

How do clans work for Newar and Janajati families?

In Newar society the guthi and the digu dyah (clan deity) mark the clan; Kirat, Magar, Gurung, Tamang, Tharu and others have their own clan systems - thar, samet, phaid or rhu. There the clan takes the place of the gotra, and marriage rules follow the clan.

What is a kuldevata?

The kuldevata is the deity a clan or lineage has worshipped for generations - Masto, Kalika, Baraha, Bhume, digu dyah and others. Different clans of one surname can have different kuldevata, so the names in the archive are examples only.