Surname Chaudhary - Meaning and Origin
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Chaudhary: What does the surname Chaudhary mean?
Cheaudhary is an Indian surname originating from the Sanskrit word 'Chaturdhara', meaning 'holder of four'. The name is generally associated with the landed gentry (Kshatriya Varna) who were wealthy landowners, managing large tracts of land.
The name is common among Hindu, Sikh, Jains, and Muslims, of northern and central India and some Hindu communities in Pakistan. In several parts of India, there are Jat and Rajput people descended from the same lineage.
The term 'Chaudhary' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Chaturadhara', a nomer for a person who holds four authoritative positions. It was given to those who held positions of leadership in ancient India, such as vassals, village chiefs, and estate owners.
The prevalence of the Chaudhary surname is due to the fact that the title was often written on the family's register with Government or Land Revenue. It was also adopted by the wealthy and respectable individuals within their community, as a mark of prestige - the Chaudharies.
The term is now often used to describe an individual of importance in a particular village or area. Those with the surname tend to have a high social status and are well known for their work in the civil and political field. Chaudhary's are known to be liberal and progressive while maintaining traditional values. They advocate equality, justice, and democracy, while embracing both modern and ancient cultural values.
Order DNA origin analysisChaudhary: Where does the name Chaudhary come from?
The last name Chaudhary is primarily found in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, among other countries in South Asia. It is also found elsewhere in areas where South Asian emigrants have moved and settled.
Chaudhary is an ancient surname traceable to the 1500s in northern India. Its origin is a compound of two Sanskrit words: 'Chau', meaning 'four' and 'dhari' which means 'direction'. It was given to those deemed to be wise or knowledgeable in the four basic directions - east, west, north, and south.
Today, Chaudhary is among the most common family names with a significant presence in India. The name is most prevalent in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Punjab. It is also strong in other parts of South Asia, including Bangladesh and Nepal.
In areas with South Asian immigrant communities, the surname Chaudhary is especially visible. In the United Kingdom, there is a large amount of people with the last name Chaudhary. It is the 25th most common Indian-origin surname in the country. In the United States, some 28,543 people have the Chaudhary surname.
High numbers of South Asian migrants today have led to the Chaudhary surname being spread more widely still. In Australia, 1,298 people identify with the surname Chaudhary and Canada is home to more than 4,000 people with the Chaudhary surname. Chaudhary is also present in African nations like Kenya and South Africa, where many South Asian communities have taken root.
Variations of the surname Chaudhary
The surname Chaudhary has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin including Chaudhri, Chaudhry, Chaudhry, Chawdhry, Chawdhry, Choudhary, Choudhry, Choudhuri, Chaudhuri, Chaudhri, and Chawdry. All of these surnames derive from the same word, Chaudhary, which refers to the leader, or headman, of a village or region.
Chaudhry is the most common spelling of this surname, as it is found throughout India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Chaudhri is the other spelling used widely throughout the same regions. It is not uncommon for families to spell the surname differently than the traditional Chaudhry or Chaudhri.
Chaudhary is a surname derived from the Sanskrit (vedic) word 'Chaudhrit', which literally translates to 'honed leader'. This surname is found through the Indian Subcontinent and is particularly popular in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan in India. It is also common in Bangladesh and Pakistan, where it is spelled Choudhry and Choudhuri, respectively.
The spelling disparities found in this surname are as result of various dialects or regions. For example, the spelling of Chaudhary in the Western region of India may differ from the spelling in the Eastern region or the Northern region. Other variations include Chawdry, Chawdhry, and Chawdhuri.
Additionally, some individuals of this surname may also have various prefixes, such as, 'Jeet', or 'Shet', as suffixes, such as 'Khan', or 'Karn'. These prefixes or suffixes may be peculiar to any particular family and thus make it difficult to determine if two surnames are of the same origin.
This surname is often attached to various first or given names or the name of the village it is derived from, to differentiate one family from another. This indicates the surname may have been in use in a particular region for many generations.
Famous people with the name Chaudhary
- Ross Butler Chaudhary: Ross Butler Chaudhary is an American actor and model best known for his roles in Teen Wolf, 13 Reasons Why, and To All the Boys I've Loved Before.
- Rajesh Chaudhary: Rajesh Chaudhary is an Indian politician and the Member of Parliament for Parliament Rajya Sabha, representing the state of Assam.
- Ashwin Chaudhary: Ashwin Chaudhary is an Indian actor who has appeared in films such as "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya".
- Frieda Chaudhary: Frieda Chaudhary is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist originally from India. She is the founder of the start-up Fierce and Fearless, which helps women achieve success in the corporate world.
- Mona Chaudhary: Mona Chaudhary is an Indian TV and film actress best known for her role in the Zee TV show Qubool Hai.
- Ankur Chaudhary: Ankur Chaudhary is an Indian stand-up comedian and actor from Punjab. He has appeared in numerous comedy shows such as Comedy Circus and Chhote Miyan Bade Miyan.
- Manjeesh Chaudhary: Manjeesh Chaudhary is an Indian cricketer who plays for the state team of Uttarakhand.
- Mahesh Chaudhary: Mahesh Chaudhary is an Indian actor who has appeared in several Bollywood films and TV shows including Main Tera Hero, Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi, and Pavitra Rishta.
- Vikram Chaudhary: Vikram Chaudhary is an Indian actor, who has appeared in films such as Dhoom 3 and Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2.
- Meenakshi Chaudhary: Meenakshi Chaudhary is an Indian model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Grand International 2018.