Shah (surname): Difference between revisions

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{{Disputed|date=November 2018}}
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Shah is a common surname in [[Iran]], [[India]], [[Nepal]] and [[Pakistan]].<ref>Kumar, R. (2006). Costumes and textiles of royal india. {{ISBN|1851495096}}</ref>  
Shah is a popular surname in [[India]], [[Nepal]], [[Bangladesh]], and [[Pakistan]].<ref>Kumar, R. (2006). Costumes and textiles of royal India. {{ISBN|1851495096}}</ref> '''[[Shah]]''' ({{IPAc-en|ʃ|ɑː}}; {{langx|fa|شاه|Šāh}}, pronounced {{IPA|fa|ʃɒːh|}}, 'king') is a title given to the emperors, kings, princes and lords of [[Iran]] (historically known as [[Name of Iran|Persia]] in [[Western world|the West]]).<ref name="yarshater1">Yarshater, Ehsan [http://www.iran-heritage.org/interestgroups/language-article5.htm Persia or Iran, Persian or Farsi] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024033230/http://www.iran-heritage.org/interestgroups/language-article5.htm |date=2010-10-24 }}, ''Iranian Studies'', vol. XXII no. 1 (1989)</ref>
 
'''[[Shah]]''' ({{IPAc-en|ʃ|ɑː}}; {{lang-fa|شاه|Šāh}}, pronounced {{IPA-fa|ʃɒːh|}}, "king") is a title given to the emperors, kings, princes and lords of [[Iran]] (historically known as [[Name of Iran|Persia]] in [[Western world|the West]]).<ref name="yarshater1">Yarshater, Ehsan [http://www.iran-heritage.org/interestgroups/language-article5.htm Persia or Iran, Persian or Farsi] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024033230/http://www.iran-heritage.org/interestgroups/language-article5.htm |date=2010-10-24 }}, ''Iranian Studies'', vol. XXII no. 1 (1989)</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
In the [[Gujarat]] and [[Rajasthan]] region, the name 'Shah' may be derived from [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] ''sah'' meaning "merchant" (from [[Sanskrit]] ''sadhu'' meaning "honest, good") and [[Prakrit]] ''Sahu'', while the actual spelling "Shah" was popularized by the [[Persian Language|Persian]] word for King. As a result, especially in Western culture, use of the spelling "Shah" has become far more pronounced than the other variants.<ref>{{cite web  | title =Shah Name Meaning and History  | publisher =Ancestry.com  | url =http://www.ancestry.com/facts/shah-name-meaning.ashx  | accessdate =2010-12-28 }}</ref> The word ''[[Sadhu]]/Sahu'' is also separately used to indicate a holy man, such as a [[Jain]] [[monk]] (see [[Namokar Mantra]]). The Indian surnames "Shah" and "Sahu" are variants of one another which have evolved from the word "sah" over time.
In the [[Gujarat]] and [[Rajasthan]] region, the name "Shah", "Sha", or "Sah" may be derived from [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] ''sah'' meaning "merchant"<ref name="oxford">{{cite book |editor1-last=Parkin |editor1-first=Harry |title=Concise Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780191939877 |edition=2021}}</ref> (from [[Sanskrit]] ''sadhu'' meaning "honest, good")<ref name="oxford"/> and [[Prakrit]] ''Sahu''{{fact|date=July 2022}}, while the actual spelling "Shah" was popularized by the [[Persian Language|Persian]] word for King. As a result, especially in Western culture, use of the spelling "Shah" has become far more pronounced than the other variants.<ref>{{cite web  | title =Shah Name Meaning and History  | publisher =Ancestry.com  | url =http://www.ancestry.com/facts/shah-name-meaning.ashx  | accessdate =2010-12-28 }}</ref> The word ''[[Sadhu]]/Sahu'' is also separately used to indicate a holy man, such as a [[Jain]] [[monk]] (see [[Namokar Mantra]]). The Indian surnames "Shah" and "Sahu" are variants of one another which have evolved from the word "sah" over time{{fact|date=July 2022}}.
Another variant is [[Sheth]].{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}
Another variant is [[Sheth]].{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}


One early use of the title Sadhu occurs in an inscription on an AD 850 [[Parshvanth]] image in the [[Akota Bronzes]].<ref>Akota Bronzes, Umakant P.Shah, 1959, p. 52-53</ref>
One early use of the title Sadhu occurs in an inscription on an AD 850 [[Pārśvanātha]] image in the [[Akota Bronzes]].<ref>Akota Bronzes, Umakant P.Shah, 1959, p. 52-53</ref>


In numerous 12–13th century inscriptions the [[shravaka]] who installed the image is given the title "Sahu".<ref>Kasturchand Jain Suman, Bharatiya Digambar Jain Abhilekh aur Tirth Parichay, Madhya-Pradesh: 13 vi shati tak, Delhi, 2001</ref>
In numerous 12th–13th century inscriptions the [[shravaka]] who installed the image is given the title "Sahu".<ref>Kasturchand Jain Suman, Bharatiya Digambar Jain Abhilekh aur Tirth Parichay, Madhya-Pradesh: 13 vi shati tak, Delhi, 2001</ref>
{{quote box|align=right|width=22em
{{quote box|align=right|width=22em
|quote = सं १५१० वर्षे माघ सुदी ८ सोमे [[Gwalior Fort|गोपाचल दुर्गे]] तोमर वंशान्वये राजा श्री डूंगरेन्द्र देव राज्य पवित्रमाने श्री [[Kashtha Sangh|काष्ठासंघ]] माथुरान्वये भट्टारक श्री गुणकीर्ति देवास्तत्पट्टे श्री मलयकीर्ति देवास्ततो भट्टारक गुणभद्रदेव पंडितवर्य [[Raighu|रइघू]] तदाम्नाये [[Agrawal|अग्रोतवंशे]] वासिलगोत्रे सकेलहा भार्या [[Newar people|निवारी]] तयोः पुत्र विजयष्ट शाह ... साधु श्री माल्हा पुत्र संघातिपति देउताय पुत्र संघातिपति करमसीह श्री चन्द्रप्रभु जिनबिंब महाकाय प्रतिष्ठापित प्रणमति ..शुभम् भवतु ..
|quote = सं १५१० वर्षे माघ सुदी ८ सोमे [[Gwalior Fort|गोपाचल दुर्गे]] तोमर वंशान्वये राजा श्री डूंगरेन्द्र देव राज्य पवित्रमाने श्री [[Kashtha Sangh|काष्ठासंघ]] माथुरान्वये भट्टारक श्री गुणकीर्ति देवास्तत्पट्टे श्री मलयकीर्ति देवास्ततो भट्टारक गुणभद्रदेव पंडितवर्य [[Raighu|रइघू]] तदाम्नाये [[Agrawal|अग्रोतवंशे]] वासिलगोत्रे सकेलहा भार्या [[Newar people|निवारी]] तयोः पुत्र विजयष्ट शाह ... साधु श्री माल्हा पुत्र संघातिपति देउताय पुत्र संघातिपति करमसीह श्री चन्द्रप्रभु जिनबिंब महाकाय प्रतिष्ठापित प्रणमति ..शुभम् भवतु ..
|source = A [[Gwalior Fort]] [[Inscription]] 1453<ref>[http://www.webdunia.com/dharm/jain/gopachal/19_gopachal9.htm Gopachal ke Jinamandir] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015035748/http://www.webdunia.com/dharm/jain/gopachal/19_gopachal9.htm |date=October 15, 2007 }}</ref>{{Dead link|date=November 2018}}
|source = A [[Gwalior Fort]] [[Inscription]] 1453<ref>[http://www.webdunia.com/dharm/jain/gopachal/19_gopachal9.htm Gopachal ke Jinamandir] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015035748/http://www.webdunia.com/dharm/jain/gopachal/19_gopachal9.htm |date=October 15, 2007 }} </ref>  
}}
}}
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* From [[Bahuriband]] (Katni, MP): "Svasti shri samvat 1070 phalgunavadi ...
* From [[Bahuriband]] (Katni, MP): "Svasti shri samvat 1070 phalgunavadi ...
madhavannandinugrahitah sadhu-shri sarvadharah .."{{cn|date=April 2017}}
madhavannandinugrahitah sadhu-shri sarvadharah .."{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}


The word Sadhu here does not mean a monk but a "gentleman". Some inscriptions abbreviate sahu by just "sa" just like the abbreviation in English, "Mr."{{cn|date=April 2017}}
The word Sadhu here does not mean a monk but a "gentleman". Some inscriptions abbreviate sahu by just "sa" just like the abbreviation in English, "Mr."{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
In some business communities, genealogies are recited during marriages, where all ancestors would be respectfully called "sahu".
In some business communities, genealogies are recited during marriages, where all ancestors would be respectfully called "sahu".
The term "sahukari" means the profession of banking/trading, and is derived from Sahu (Sanskrit "Sadhu") and kar (Sanskrit for doer).<ref>[[John Shakespear]]. [http://dsalsrv02.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/search3advanced?dbname=shakespear&query=sahukar&matchtype=exact&display=utf8 A dictionary, Hindustani and English], 1834, p.1035</ref>
The term "sahukari" means the profession of banking/trading, and is derived from Sahu (Sanskrit "Sadhu") and kar (Sanskrit for doer).<ref>[[John Shakespear]]. [http://dsalsrv02.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/search3advanced?dbname=shakespear&query=sahukar&matchtype=exact&display=utf8 A dictionary, Hindustani and English]{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}, 1834, p.1035</ref>
In the [[Bundelkhand]] Jain community, the father-in-law (or son's/daughter's father-in-law) used to be called "sahaji". Thus the words "Shah" etc. all indicate a respected member of the mercantile community.  
In the [[Bundelkhand]] Jain community, the father-in-law (or son's/daughter's father-in-law) used to be called "sahaji". Thus the words "Shah" etc. all indicate a respected member of the mercantile community.  
Today it is used by Gujarati business communities.{{cn|date=April 2017}}
Today it is used by Gujarati business communities.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}


==People with the surname==
==People with the surname==
This list includes people with both the Indian surname Shah and the surname of Persian origin meaning king. Having the name, also in the Persian meaning, does not necessarily indicate a royal status or origin of the person so names. like the surname "King" in English is borne by various people not connected to any Royal dynasty. Notable people with the surname include:
* [[Asif Shah]], Nepalese TV presenter, director, producer, actor, singer, and rapper.  
 
* [[Shah Abdul Karim]], Bangladeshi Baul
* [[Amit Shah]], Minister of Home Affairs, India
* [[Amin Shah]], Indian politician
* [[Amina Shah]] (1918–2014), anthologiser of Sufi stories and folk tales
* [[Amina Shah (librarian)]], Scottish librarian
* [[Amit Shah]], Indian politician
* [[Amna Shah]], Canadian politician
* [[Arvind Victor Shah]], (born 1940), Swiss engineer, educator and scientist
* [[Arvind Victor Shah]], (born 1940), Swiss engineer, educator and scientist
* [[Bahadur Shah of Nepal|Bahadur Shah]], Nepalese states unifier and Prince Regent
* [[Ashiesh Shah]], Indian architect and designer
* [[Birendra Bir Bikram Shah]], Nepalese monarch from the house of [[Shah dynasty]]
* [[Bahadur Shah of Nepal]], Nepalese states unifier and Prince Regent
* [[Bulleh Shah]] alias Syed Abdullah Shah (c. 1680 – c. 1758), Punjabi Sufi poet
* [[Balen Shah|Balendra Shah]], Nepalese rapper, structural engineer, and politician
* [[Eddy Shah]], Manchester-based businessman and writer
* [[Birendra Bir Bikram Shah]], Nepalese monarch from the house of Shah dynasty
* [[Brandon Shah]] (died 2026), American army aviator
* [[Bulleh Shah]] (c.1680–c.1758), Punjabi Sufi poet
* [[Daisy Shah]], Indian Actress
* [[Eddy Shah]], British businessman and writer
* [[Ema Shah]] (born 1981), Kuwaiti singer, composer, and director
* [[Ema Shah]] (born 1981), Kuwaiti singer, composer, and director
* [[Ema Shah|Ethan Shah]] (born 2005), Local Ajax resident, basketball player, and philanthropist
* [[Fahmida Shah]] (born 1966), British Asian silk painter
* [[Farah Shah]], Pakistani actress and host
* [[Farah Shah]], Pakistani actress and host
* [[Fatima Shah]] (1914-2002), Pakistani physician and disability activist
* [[Fatima Shah]] (1914-2002), Pakistani physician and disability activist
* [[Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah]], Nepali former King
* [[Harmonica Shah]] (born 1946), American blues harmonicist and singer
* [[Hetul Shah]] (born 1999), Indian chess player
* [[Hetul Shah]] (born 1999), Indian chess player
* [[Jawahar Shah]] (born 1955), Indian homeopath
* [[Jawahar Shah]] (born 1955), Indian homeopath  
* [[Jigar Shah]] (born 1974), Indian business tycoon
* [[Jay Shah]], Indian politician and BCCI official
* [[Jen Shah]] (born 1973), American television personality
* [[Jigar Shah]] (born 1974), Indian businessman
* [[Kiran Shah]] (born 1956), Kenyan-born actor and stuntman
* [[Kiran Shah]] (born 1956), Kenyan-born actor and stuntman
* [[Khushdil Shah]], Pakistani cricketer
* [[Khushdil Shah]], Pakistani cricketer
* [[Gyanendra|Gyanendra of Nepal]], Nepalese monarch from the house of [[Shah dynasty]]
* [[Komal Shah (disambiguation)]]
** [[Komal Shah (art collector)]], art collector, philanthropist, computer engineer, and businessperson in Silicon Valley
* [[K. J. Shah]], Indian philosopher.
* [[Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah]], Nepalese nationalist monarch
* [[Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah]], Nepalese nationalist monarch
* [[Nagambal Shah]], Indian-American mathematician and statistician
* [[Nagambal Shah]], Indian-American mathematician and statistician
* [[Naseem Shah (cricketer)|Naseem Shah]], Pakistani cricketer
* [[Naseem Shah (cricketer)|Naseem Shah]], Pakistani cricketer
* [[Naseeruddin Shah]], Indian actor
* [[Naz Shah]] (born (1973), British Labour Party politician
* [[Naz Shah]] (born (1973), British Labour Party politician
* [[Neel Shah]], American physician
* [[Neel Shah]], American physician
* [[Nirav D. Shah]], American epidemiologist, economist and attorney, known for being Maine CDC director during COVID-19 pandemic
* [[Neer Shah]], Nepalese actor, musician, and filmmaker
* [[Nirav D. Shah]], American epidemiologist, economist and attorney
* [[Owais Shah]], English cricketer
* [[Owais Shah]], English cricketer
* [[Paul Shah]], Nepalese model and actor.
* [[Pooja Shah]] (born 1979), British Asian actress
* [[Pooja Shah]] (born 1979), British Asian actress
* [[Prithivi Narayan Shah]], Nepalese unifier monarch from the house of Shah dynasty
* [[Prithivi Narayan Shah]], Nepalese monarch from the house of Shah dynasty
* [[Rahil Shah]], Indian cricketer
* [[Rahil Shah]], Indian cricketer
* [[Raj Shah]], American politician
* [[Raj Shah]], American politician
* [[Rajendra Keshavlal Shah]] (1913-2010), lyrical poet who wrote in Gujarati
* [[Rajendra Keshavlal Shah]] (1913-2010), lyrical poet who wrote in Gujarati
* [[Raline Shah]] (born 1985), Indonesian actress
* [[Raline Shah]] (born 1985), Indonesian actress
* [[Rajiv Shah]] (born 1973), administrator of the [[United States Agency for International Development]]
* [[Rajiv Shah]] (born 1973), administrator of the United States Agency for International Development
* [[Ratna Pathak Shah]], Indian actress
* [[Ravindu Shah]] (born 1972), Kenyan cricketer
* [[Ravindu Shah]] (born 1972), Kenyan cricketer
* [[Ray Shah]] (born 1978), contestant on the fourth series of the British Big Brother
* [[Ray Shah]] (born 1978), contestant on the fourth series of the British Big Brother
* [[Rina Shah]], American political strategist
* [[Rishi Shah]] (born 1985/86), American billionaire, founder of Outcome Health
* [[Rishi Shah]] (born 1985/86), American billionaire, founder of Outcome Health
* [[Roger Shah]], German electronic music producer
* [[Roger Shah]], German electronic music producer
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* [[Saira Shah]], English author, reporter and documentary filmmaker
* [[Saira Shah]], English author, reporter and documentary filmmaker
* [[Saleem Shah]], Indian-American psychologist
* [[Saleem Shah]], Indian-American psychologist
* [[Salman Shah (economist)]], Pakistani economist
* [[Salman Shah (actor)]], Bangladeshi actor
* [[Samir Shah]], British television and radio executive, who serves as Chair of the BBC
* [[Sanjay Shah]], Dubai-based businessman
* [[Sanjay Shah]], Dubai-based businessman
* [[Satish Shah|Satish Beri-Shah]], Indian film and television actor
* [[Satish Shah]], Indian film and television actor
* [[Syed Muhammad Asghar Shah]] (1949–2025), Pakistani politician
* [[Tejal Shah]] (born 1979), Indian visual artist, curator
* [[Ushna Shah]], Pakistani actress
* [[Yasir Shah]], Pakistani cricketer
* [[Yasir Shah]], Pakistani cricketer
* [[Sam Manekshaw]] (1914 – 2008), Field Marshal of the Indian Army


==See also==
==See also==
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*[[Saha (surname)]]
*[[Saha (surname)]]
*[[Shah]]
*[[Shah]]
*[[King (surname)]], the English parallel


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Jainism topics}}


{{surname|Shah}}
{{surname|Shah}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Shah (surname)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shah (surname)}}
[[Category:Indian surnames]]
[[Category:Surnames of Indian origin]]
[[Category:Gujarati-language surnames]]
[[Category:Gujarati-language surnames]]
[[Category:Bengali Muslim surnames]]
[[Category:Bengali Muslim surnames]]
[[Category: Shah dynasty]]

Latest revision as of 00:26, 26 March 2026

Shah is a popular surname in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.[1] Shah (/ʃɑː/; Script error: The function "langx" does not exist., pronounced fa, 'king') is a title given to the emperors, kings, princes and lords of Iran (historically known as Persia in the West).[2]

History[edit | edit source]

In the Gujarat and Rajasthan region, the name "Shah", "Sha", or "Sah" may be derived from Gujarati sah meaning "merchant"[3] (from Sanskrit sadhu meaning "honest, good")[3] and Prakrit Sahu[citation needed], while the actual spelling "Shah" was popularized by the Persian word for King. As a result, especially in Western culture, use of the spelling "Shah" has become far more pronounced than the other variants.[4] The word Sadhu/Sahu is also separately used to indicate a holy man, such as a Jain monk (see Namokar Mantra). The Indian surnames "Shah" and "Sahu" are variants of one another which have evolved from the word "sah" over time[citation needed]. Another variant is Sheth.[citation needed]

One early use of the title Sadhu occurs in an inscription on an AD 850 Pārśvanātha image in the Akota Bronzes.[5]

In numerous 12th–13th century inscriptions the shravaka who installed the image is given the title "Sahu".[6]

सं १५१० वर्षे माघ सुदी ८ सोमे गोपाचल दुर्गे तोमर वंशान्वये राजा श्री डूंगरेन्द्र देव राज्य पवित्रमाने श्री काष्ठासंघ माथुरान्वये भट्टारक श्री गुणकीर्ति देवास्तत्पट्टे श्री मलयकीर्ति देवास्ततो भट्टारक गुणभद्रदेव पंडितवर्य रइघू तदाम्नाये अग्रोतवंशे वासिलगोत्रे सकेलहा भार्या निवारी तयोः पुत्र विजयष्ट शाह ... साधु श्री माल्हा पुत्र संघातिपति देउताय पुत्र संघातिपति करमसीह श्री चन्द्रप्रभु जिनबिंब महाकाय प्रतिष्ठापित प्रणमति ..शुभम् भवतु ..

A Gwalior Fort Inscription 1453[7]

For example:

Here the word Sahu is equivalent to the Sanskrit word "sadhu". Some inscriptions use "sadhu" itself :

  • From Bahuriband (Katni, MP): "Svasti shri samvat 1070 phalgunavadi ...

madhavannandinugrahitah sadhu-shri sarvadharah .."[citation needed]

The word Sadhu here does not mean a monk but a "gentleman". Some inscriptions abbreviate sahu by just "sa" just like the abbreviation in English, "Mr."[citation needed] In some business communities, genealogies are recited during marriages, where all ancestors would be respectfully called "sahu". The term "sahukari" means the profession of banking/trading, and is derived from Sahu (Sanskrit "Sadhu") and kar (Sanskrit for doer).[9] In the Bundelkhand Jain community, the father-in-law (or son's/daughter's father-in-law) used to be called "sahaji". Thus the words "Shah" etc. all indicate a respected member of the mercantile community. Today it is used by Gujarati business communities.[citation needed]

People with the surname[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Kumar, R. (2006). Costumes and textiles of royal India. ISBN 1851495096
  2. ↑ Yarshater, Ehsan Persia or Iran, Persian or Farsi Archived 2010-10-24 at the Wayback Machine, Iranian Studies, vol. XXII no. 1 (1989)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Parkin, Harry (ed.). Concise Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain (2021 ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780191939877.
  4. ↑ "Shah Name Meaning and History". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 2010-12-28.
  5. ↑ Akota Bronzes, Umakant P.Shah, 1959, p. 52-53
  6. ↑ Kasturchand Jain Suman, Bharatiya Digambar Jain Abhilekh aur Tirth Parichay, Madhya-Pradesh: 13 vi shati tak, Delhi, 2001
  7. ↑ Gopachal ke Jinamandir Archived October 15, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ Indian Sculpture: 700-1800, Volume 2 of Indian Sculpture: A Catalogue of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Collection, Pratapaditya Pal, University of California Press, 1988, p. 306
  9. ↑ John Shakespear. A dictionary, Hindustani and English[dead link], 1834, p.1035
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