Agarwal and Gupta are currently the most prominent surnames among India’s richest family-owned businesses in 2025. According to the Hurun India Rich List and Barclays report, both surnames represent 12 of the top family-run businesses each. They are followed by Patel (10 families), Jain (9 families), and Mehta/Goenka/Shah.
According to the Hurun India Rich List 2025, Agarwal and Gupta top the chart with the highest number of rich families, followed by Patel, Jain, and Mehta — showing the deep roots of Marwari and Gujarati business power.
The caste system is broken up into five main categories: Brahmins (priests and teachers), Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), Vaishyas (merchants, traders, and farmers), Shudras (laborers), and Dalits (“untouchables,” like street sweepers and restroom cleaners).
India's five most common surnames - Devi, Singh, Kumar, Das, and Kaur - highlight the unique blend of tradition, faith, and regional diversity. Devi: With over 70 million bearers, Devi tops the list. Traditionally used by women across India, it symbolises divinity and respect.
The #1 most common surname in the world is Wang (王), a Chinese name meaning "king," shared by over 100 million people, primarily in China, due to its historical royal associations. Following closely are other Chinese surnames like Li (李) and Zhang (張), and India's Devi, highlighting Asia's dominance in common surnames due to population size.
100 Most Common Surnames in India | Probability Comparison
Which surname is top in India?
India's five most common surnames - Devi, Singh, Kumar, Das, and Kaur - highlight the unique blend of tradition, faith, and regional diversity. Devi: With over 70 million bearers, Devi tops the list.
Rajput (from Sanskrit raja-putra 'son of a king') is a large multi-component cluster of castes, kin bodies, and local groups, sharing social status and ideology of genealogical descent originating from the Indian subcontinent.
Brahmins, states Olivelle, were the social class from which most ascetics came. The term Brahmin in Indian texts has also signified someone who is good and virtuous, not just someone of priestly class.
A hierarchical system wherein generally the Brahmins were at the head of the hierarchy, but this hierarchy was disputed in some cases. In various linguistic areas, hundreds of castes had a gradation generally acknowledged by everyone.
According to 2018 suvery, Kayastha are the most richest Caste of India. This survey states that 31% Rajputs, 44% Baniyas, 50% Brahmans & 57% Kayasthas fall in richest class Category in India. Jai Dharmaraj Shri Chitragupta.
India's richest surnames, based on the Hurun India Rich List 2025, are led by Agarwal and Gupta, tied for the most families on the list, followed by Patel, Jain, and Mehta, reflecting strong Marwari and Gujarati business communities.
If Indian baby names are new to you, here are a few famous ones to consider: Deepak [Chopra, best-selling author]; Priyanka [Chopra-Jonas, actor, model], Padma [Lakshmi, writer, model and long-running "Top Chef" host]; and Sanjay [Gupta, journalist and neurosurgeon.]
Key Takeaways. Olivia and Noah held onto their spots as the No. 1 names for girls and boys. Eliana and Aurora joined the top 10 girl names for the first time, while Ava and Luna fell out of the top 10.
Surnames like Agarwal, Gupta, Patel, Jain, and Mehta frequently appear across sectors such as manufacturing, finance, real estate, FMCG, and technology. Names like Goenka, Shah, Rao, Singh, and Doshi are also widely represented among India's richest families, startup founders, and corporate leaders.
In the 14th century, Rajputs were primarily divided into several major clans, traditionally grouped into four main lineages called "vansh" (dynasties) as per classical Rajput historiography: Suryavanshi (Solar dynasty) Chandravanshi (Lunar dynasty) Agnivanshi (Fire dynasty)
The most common last name in the world is, without a shadow of a doubt, Wang. Yep, you heard that right. This Chinese surname is currently estimated to be shared by over 100 million people worldwide. That's a colossal number, folks!
The most common surname in Scotland and the UK as a whole, Smith originated from the Middle English period. 546,960 UK nationals have it. It started out as an occupational name for someone who worked with metal, such as a Blacksmith.
