Surname Sardar - Meaning and Origin
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Sardar: What does the surname Sardar mean?
The last name Sardar is of Indian Jewish origin, and is derived from the Sanskrit word "sardhar," meaning leader or commander. It is derived from an ancient Persian title and was used to refer to a ruler or a high-ranking official. Today, the term has come to designate members of the Sikh community.
The term Sardar is often used to refer to a number of prominent roles within the Sikh faith. In particular, it is used to refer to the leader of a Sikh congregation who is known as a Granthi Sardar. This person is responsible for leading the religious services and taking care of the Guru Granth Sahib, which is the holy scripture of the Sikh faith. He or she is also the teacher and moral guide to the congregation.
The title of Sardar is also reserved for leaders of the Khalsa, which is a religious organization of initiated Sikh men and women. The Khalsa dates back to the time of Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708), the 10th guru of the Sikh faith. This order is responsible for safeguarding the faith and acting as a pillar of strength for the Sikh community.
Beyond its use within the Sikh community, the last name Sardar is also used by Parsi and other Indian Jews. Aside from its literal meaning of leader or commander, the term can also denote one’s strength, courage, and majestic presence.
Order DNA origin analysisSardar: Where does the name Sardar come from?
The last name Sardar is an Indian name, primarily common among the Punjabi tribal peoples. The word ‘sardar’ in Punjabi signifies a powerful military leader or chief.
Today, the name Sardar is very common throughout India, especially in northern parts of the country. Most people with the last name Sardar belong to Punjab, an ethnic group which makes up a major portion of the population in the states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. While the origin of the name lies within the Sikh community, the name is now being adopted by other people as well.
The name is also sometimes used by Parsi Zoroastrians and some other prominent communities in India. The Indian diaspora has spread the name to other countries, including the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and the United States, where people with the last name Sardar can be found in all major cities.
In the United States, several high profile individuals with the last name Sardar have made their name by theatrical, literary, and business contributions. These include fashion designer Manish Malhotra, actor Sheeba Chaddha, and Australian entrepreneur Ajay Sardar.
Overall, the last name Sardar is still very much alive and is often adopted by those who are not part of the traditional Punjabis. With the diaspora of Indian people to other parts of the world, Sardar is an increasingly popular name, with more and more people proudly bearing it.
Variations of the surname Sardar
The surname Sardar is an Indian surname which is commonly used throughout the continent and it’s diaspora. It can be either a Hindu or Muslim name and, dependent on the region, has a variety of spellings and variants (including Saardar, Saardaar, Sardaar, Sardaara, Sarda, Sirdar, Sirdaar and Sirdaara).
In India, particularly among the Gujarati and Punjabi, the surname has become a common identifier of Sikh aristocratic family names. Its first human bearers undertook employment as rulers in regions such as Rajasthan and Gujarat. The term is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘sarva-dharmini’ meaning ‘responsible for all’, with the literal translation of the surname meaning “leader, chief, head person”.
Elsewhere, the word may have been adapted from the Urdu/Persian title 'Sardar', which is one such form of the surname. For Muslim families in India, it may be used in place of Shaikh as a title. Many Pakistani and Bangladeshi families identify their surname as Sardar and many Urdu poets, like Ahmed Faraz who was born in Kohat, Pakistan were described as "Sardar of literature".
In general, it is a fairly common last name among Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs, as well as its varying spellings across the region. Through its usage as a title of nobility or leadership, the name now carries a strong connotation of respect amongst those to whom it refers, and the tradition of using it as such has been continued by subsequent generations.
Famous people with the name Sardar
- Anwar Sardar Malik: a Pakistani film musician and composer who has composed numerous music for Pakistani and Indian films.
- Ali Sardar Jafri: an Indian Urdu poet, film lyricist and a dialog writer.
- Sahil Sardar Khan: a rising Indian fashion designer.
- Nirmal Sardar Patel: a spritiual leader from India.
- Zia Sardar: an Indian-born American entrepreneur and venture capitalist.
- Aimun Zafar Sardar: an Indian television actress.
- Muntazir Sardar: a Pakistani actor.
- Asim Zafar Sardar: an Indian film director.
- Haider Abdul Rashid Sardar: an Indian Air Force Wing Commander who was awarded Mahavir Chakra for his bravery.
- Raquel Sardar: a Spanish fashion designer.