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Most Common Indian Surnames:  India is world-famous for its rich diversity, which is highlighted through its cultures, heritages, local languages, religions and even its surnames. Indian surnames are the reflection of India’s geography, faith and lineage across the nation. These surnames are not just last names, but also signify the individual’s cultural roots, social affiliation, and the popularity of these last names showcases the interconnectedness of India's rich population. Whether based in heritage or evolved through the centuries, family surnames provide an interesting insight into the rich history of the nation and the numerous tales that contribute to its people. Here’s a list of the 50 most popular Indian surnames, according to the data by forebears.

Which Is The Most Common Surname In India?

The five most common surnames in India are Devi, Singh, Kumar, Das, and Kaur. All these most common Indian surnames reflect the country’s cultural and regional diversity. Devi is the most common surname in India, with over 70 million holders, which is particularly used by females as a means of respect or divinity across India. Singh and Kaur are used by Sikh and North Indian populations, where Singh means lion-like bravery. While Kaur is referred to as a princess status. Kumar is another common surname and middle name in India, showcasing caste and religious affiliations. However, Das generally means devotion and dedication, which is a common surname in the eastern states of India.

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List Of 50 Most Common Surnames In India: 

Rank Surname Incidence
1 Devi 70,362,192
2 Singh 34,838,027
3 Kumar 31,111,248
4 Das 11,368,810
5 Kaur 9,480,229
6 Ram 7,228,601
7 Yadav 6,993,402
8 Kumari 6,615,155
9 Lal 5,669,679
10 Bai 5,339,803
11 Khatun 5,276,481
12 Mandal 5,168,020
13 Ali 5,119,011
14 Sharma 5,025,045
15 Ray 4,740,466
16 Mondal 4,655,155
17 Khan 4,569,403
18 Sah 4,551,188
19 Patel 4,215,909
20 Prasad 3,934,526
21 Patil 3,680,454
22 Ghosh 3,640,391
23 Pal 2,968,653
24 Sahu 2,841,127
25 Gupta 2,835,996
26 Shaikh 2,814,126
27 Bibi 2,770,989
28 Sekh 2,367,491
29 Begam 2,345,927
30 Biswas 2,256,464
31 Sarkar 2,247,125
32 Paramar 2,246,677
33 Khatoon 2,203,395
34 Mahto 2,174,470
35 Ansari 2,096,249
36 Nayak 2,078,522
37 Ma 2,068,573
38 Rathod 2,054,799
39 Jadhav 2,054,727
40 Mahato 2,003,812
41 Rani 1,998,518
42 Barman 1,961,488
43 Behera 1,948,478
44 Mishra 1,917,079
45 Chand 1,915,664
46 Roy 1,914,389
47 Begum 1,907,677
48 Saha 1,879,529
49 Paswan 1,843,568
50 Thakur 1,815,968

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This list of the most common surnames in India, along with their rank by population and occurrence, is perfect to learn about India’s diversity. The list also provides a brief about the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the topmost common Indian surnames.