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{{For|the village in Madhya Pradesh, India|Mehta (village)}}
'''Mehta, Mahta or Mahton''' is an [[Indian surname]] and may be derived from the [[Sanskrit]] word "महित", meaning 'Great', or 'Highly praised', or from the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] word "Mehthagu", which means "Worthy of respect", or "Your Excellency." It is often used to denote the Chief, Head or [[Thakur (title)|Thakur]] of a village or locality. It is found among several Indian communities, including [[Gujarati Hindu Bania]], [[Punjabi Hindus]], [[Jains]], [[Parsis]], [[Sindhis]], and [[Sikhs]]. Among Hindus, it is used mostly by [[Brahmin]]s, [[Rajput]]s and some [[Baniya]]s including [[Punjabi Khatri]]s.<ref name="Oxford">[http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195081374.001.0001/acref-9780195081374-e-41805?rskey=86GkPQ&result=44 Dictionary of American Family Names], Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|0-19-508137-4}}</ref>
'''Mehta''' ({{ipa|hi|meːɦt̪aː|ipa}}) is an [[Indian surname]], derived from the [[Sanskrit]] word ''mahita'' meaning 'great' or 'praised'. It is found among several Indian religious groups, including [[Hindus]], [[Jains]], [[Parsis]], and [[Sikhs]]. Among Hindus, it is used by a wide range of castes and social groups, including [[Koeri]], [[Rajput]]s,  [[Brahmin]]s ([[Mohyal Brahmin]]) , Tyagi and [[Bania (caste)|Bania]].<ref name=Oxford>{{Cite book | url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780195081374.001.0001/acref-9780195081374-e-41805?rskey=86GkPQ&result=44 | title=Dictionary of American Family Names | publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] | isbn=0-19-508137-4}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}}


==Distribution in India==
==Distribution in India==
 
People with this surname are native to [[North India|North]] and [[West India|Western regions]] of [[India]], including [[Punjab]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Haryana]], [[Delhi]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Bihar]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Gujarat]], and [[Maharashtra]] ([[Mumbai]]).<ref name=Oxford/>
People with this surname are native to [[North India|North]] and [[West India|Western regions]] of [[India]], including [[Punjab]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Haryana]], [[Delhi]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[Bihar]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Gujarat]], and [[Maharashtra]] ([[Mumbai]]).<ref name="Oxford"/>
 
==As surname used by Brahmins==
 
Among [[Bania (caste)|Bania]], Mehta surname is popularly used by [[Vaishnav Vania]], Among [[Brahmins]], Mehta surname is popularly used by [[Anavil Brahmin]]sand [[Nagar Brahmin]]s of [[Valsad]] and [[Surat]] regions of [[Gujarat]]. In the [[Gujarati language]], the term was used to address highly praised business people, money lenders, teachers and accountants,  becoming associated with these professions. [[Mohyal Brahmin]]s of [[Punjab]] region. ([[Vaid]] sub-clan), [[Bhumihar]] Brahmins of [[Eastern India]], [[Kayastha]]s of Bihar and Bengal,  [[Kashmiri Pandit]]s settled in many Northern states of India and other [[Brahmin]] communities also use Mehta as their surname with some modifications in the spelling and pronunciation.


==As surname used by Rajputs==
==As surname used by Rajputs==
 
Mehta is also a [[Rajput]] clan name in the [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]] and [[Garhwal division|Garhwal]] region of [[Uttarakhand]], hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and western areas of Nepal. They served as nobles, ministers and bureaucrats under the [[Katyuri Kings]] and [[Chand Kings]] of Uttarakhand. People having this surname are native to Almora, Bageshwar, and Nainital districts of Uttarakhand, eastern parts of Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir, and western Nepal. In Nepal, they come under the [[Chhetri]] [[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]] and are considered chieftains of villages.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://forebears.io/surnames/mehta | title=Mehta Surname}}</ref>
Mehta is also a [[Rajput]] clan name in the [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]] and [[Garhwal division|Garhwal]] region of Uttarakhand, hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and western areas of Nepal. They served as nobles, ministers and bureaucrats under the [[Katyuri Kings]] and [[Chand Kings]] of Uttarakhand. People having this surname are native to Almora, Bageshwar and Nainital districts of Uttarakhand, eastern parts of Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir and western Nepal. In Nepal, they come under the [[Chhetri]] varna and are considered chieftain of villages.


In Rajasthan, Mehta was originally used as a term of respect applied to administrative office holders and bureaucrats of [[Rajputana]] kings.
In Rajasthan, Mehta was originally used as a term of respect applied to administrative office holders and bureaucrats of [[Rajputana]] kings.
Among Rajputs, it is used as both title and surname by [[Dewan]]s (ministers and nobles) of [[Bikaner State]] and many other states of [[Rajputana]] and are considered direct descendants of the [[Solar dynasty|Suryavanshi]] [[Chauhan]] Dynasty. The Dewans and Chief Ministers of the [[Bikaner State]] were:
Among Rajputs, it is used as both title and surname by [[Dewan]]s (ministers and nobles) of [[Bikaner State]] and many other states of [[Rajputana]] and are considered direct descendants of the [[Solar dynasty]] (Suryavanshi) and [[Chauhan Dynasty]]. The [[dewan]]s and [[chief minister]]s of the [[Bikaner State]] were:


*1460–1465 Bachhraj Bothra (Mantri-Dewan / Jodhpur) / Rao Jodha
*1460–1465 Bachhraj Bothra (Mantri-Dewan / Jodhpur) / Rao Jodha
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==As surname used by Banias==
==As surname used by Banias==
Among [[Oswal]] and [[Porwal]] [[Bania (caste)|Banias]], Mehta is a clan name.<ref name="Oxford" />


Among [[Oswal]]s, [[Porwal]] Banias, and [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]] [[Khatri]]s, Mehta is a clan name.<ref name="Oxford" />  
== As surname used by Khatris==
 
Among [[Khatri|Khatris]], Mehta is a clan name.<ref name="Oxford" />
It is used as Surname by the [[Khatri]] community including [[Aroras]] of Punjab, the [[Lohana]] and [[Sindhis|Sindhi]] community of Western Gujarat and Sindh, the [[Multan]]i community of Multan and [[Jain]]s of Maharashtra and Mumbai.
 
==As surname by other social groups==
 
Mehta is also seldomly used as Surname by [[Sikh]] community of Punjab, [[Jat people]] (Muhta) of Haryana, [[Dhakad]] community of Rajasthan, [[Koiri]] [[kushwaha]] community of Bihar, [[Kayastha]] community of Bihar, [[Jain]] and [[Maratha]] community of Maharashtra and Mumbai and rich land owning businessmen and [[zamindar]]s of Madhya Pradesh.
 
==Notable Mehtas==


==Notable individuals==
Notable individuals with this surname include:
Notable individuals with this surname include:
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Bharatpedia ♦♦♦--->  
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->  
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->  
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->  
*[[Aditya Mehta]] (born 1985), snooker player
*[[Aditya Mehta]] (born 1985), snooker player
*[[Ajay Mehta]], Indian actor
*[[Ajay Mehta]], Indian actor
*[[Alok Mehta]] (born 1952), Indian journalist
*[[Alok Mehta]] (born 1952), Indian journalist
*[[Alok Kumar Mehta]], former General Secretary of [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]], served as minister in [[Government of Bihar]].
*[[Amit Mehta]] (born 1971), United States district judge
*[[Amit Mehta]] (born 1971), United States district judge
*[[Anil Mehta]], film director, cinematographer
*[[Anil Mehta]], film director, cinematographer
*[[Apoorva Mehta]] (born 1986), founder of Instacart
*[[Ashok Mehta]] (1947–2012), Indian cinematographer
*[[Ashok Mehta]] (1947–2012), Indian cinematographer
*[[Atul Mehta]] (born 1949), Indian cricketer
*[[Balwantrai Mehta]] (1900–1965), Gujarat's second Chief Minister
*[[Balwantrai Mehta]] (1900–1965), Gujarat's second Chief Minister
*[[Pratap Bhanu Mehta]] (born 1967), Indian academic and think tank.
*[[Bejun Mehta]] (born 1968), American countertenor
*[[Bejun Mehta]] (born 1968), American countertenor
*[[Deepa Mehta]] (born 1950), Canadian film director and screenwriter
*[[Deepa Mehta]] (born 1950), Canadian film director and screenwriter
*[[Deena Mehta]] (born 1961), Indian first woman president of the [[Bombay Stock Exchange]]
*[[Devaanshi Mehta]] (1996–2012), British-Indian student who started the Asian Donor Campaign
*[[Devaanshi Mehta]] (1996–2012), British-Indian student who started the Asian Donor Campaign
*[[Gita Mehta]] (''née'' Patnaik; born 1943), Indian writer
*[[Dilip Mehta]]
*[[Gita Mehta]] (''née'' Patnaik; 1943–2023), Indian writer
*[[Gulshan Kumar Mehta]] (1937–2009), Indian lyricist and actor
*[[Gulshan Kumar Mehta]] (1937–2009), Indian lyricist and actor
*[[Hansa Jivraj Mehta]] (1897–1995), Indian reformist, social activist, educator, independence activist, and writer
*[[Hansa Jivraj Mehta]] (1897–1995), Indian reformist, social activist, educator, independence activist, and writer
*[[Harshad Mehta]] (1954–2001), Indian stockbroker, who was later convicted
*[[Harshad Mehta]] (1954–2001), Indian stockbroker who was convicted of market manipulation and died of a heart attack at age 47.
*[[Hemant Mehta]] (born 1983), American-born Indian author
*[[Hemant Mehta]] (born 1983), American-born Indian author
*[[Homi Maneck Mehta]] (1871–1948), Indian industrialist and philanthropist
*[[Homi Maneck Mehta]] (1871–1948), Indian industrialist and philanthropist
*[[Jagat Singh Mehta]] (1922–2014), Foreign Secretary of India
*[[Jagat Singh Mehta]] (1922–2014), Foreign Secretary of India
*[[Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta]] (1886–1952), Mayor of Karachi
*[[Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta]] (1886–1952), Mayor of Karachi
*[[Jarava Lal Mehta]] (1912–1988), Indian philosopher
*[[Jay Mehta]] (born 1961), businessman and owner of the Mehta Group
*[[Jay Mehta]] (born 1961), businessman and owner of the Mehta Group
*[[Jehangir Mehta]] (born 1971), chef and owner of New York City restaurants
*[[Jehangir Mehta]] (born 1971), chef and owner of New York City restaurants
*[[Jivraj Narayan Mehta]] (1887–1978), Gujarat's first Chief Minister
*[[Jivraj Narayan Mehta]] (1887–1978), Gujarat's first Chief Minister
*[[Kalu Mehta]] (1440–1522), father of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak
*[[Kalu Mehta]] (1440–1522), father of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak
*[[Laxmi Narayan Mehta]] (1980), former member of Bihar legislative assembly.
*[[Madan Lal Mehta]] (1932–2006), theoretical physicist in the field of random matrix theory
*[[Madan Lal Mehta]] (1932–2006), theoretical physicist in the field of random matrix theory
*[[Mahendra Mehta]] (born 1955), CEO, Vedanta Resources; also known as Mahendar Singh
*[[Mehli Mehta]], (1908–2002): musician; founder of the Bombay Philharmonic and Bombay String Orchestras
*[[Mehli Mehta]], (1908–2002): musician; founder of the Bombay Philharmonic and Bombay String Orchestras
*[[Michael D. Mehta]] (born 1965), Canadian-born environmental sociologist and academic
*[[Nakuul Mehta]] (born 1983), actor and model
*[[Nakuul Mehta]] (born 1983), actor and model
*[[Nariman Mehta]] (1920–2014), organic chemist and inventor of bupropion, the most commonly used antidepressant drug {{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}
*[[Nariman Mehta]] (1920–2014), organic chemist and inventor of bupropion (Wellbutrin)
*[[Narsinh Mehta]], Gujarati spiritual poet
*[[Narsinh Mehta]], Gujarati spiritual poet
*[[Neil Mehta]], American venture capitalist
*[[Nicky Mehta]], singer, songwriter, member of Canadian folk trio The Wailin' Jennys
*[[Nicky Mehta]], singer, songwriter, member of Canadian folk trio The Wailin' Jennys
*[[Pherozeshah Mehta]] (1845–1915), Indian political leader, activist, and lawyer
*[[Phiroz Mehta]] (1902–1994), writer on religious topics, and philosopher
*[[Phiroz Mehta]] (1902–1994), writer on religious topics, and philosopher
*[[Pherozeshah Mehta]] (1845–1915), Indian political leader, activist, and lawyer
*[[Pratap Bhanu Mehta]] (born 1967), Indian academic and think tank
*[[Raj Mehta]]
*[[Russell Mehta]], Indian businessman
*[[Russell Mehta]], Indian businessman
*[[Sahil Mehta]] (born 1988), Indian actor
*[[Sahil Mehta]] (born 1988), Indian actor
*[[Samir Mehta]]
*[[Sargun Mehta]] (born 1988), Indian model, comedian, dancer, presenter and actress
*[[Sargun Mehta]] (born 1988), Indian model, comedian, dancer, presenter and actress
*[[Shailendra Raj Mehta]] (born 1959), Indian economist, president and director, MICA
*[[Shailendra Raj Mehta]] (born 1959), Indian economist, president and director, MICA
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*[[Sonny Mehta]] (born Ajai Singh Mehta; 1942–2019), Indian book editor
*[[Sonny Mehta]] (born Ajai Singh Mehta; 1942–2019), Indian book editor
*[[Suketu Mehta]] (born 1963), India-born American writer
*[[Suketu Mehta]] (born 1963), India-born American writer
*[[Tarak Mehta]] (Born Tarak Janubhai Mehta; 1929-2017), Indian writer, humorist, and playwright
*[[Tushar Mehta]]
*[[Tyeb Mehta]] (1925–2009), Indian painter
*[[Tyeb Mehta]] (1925–2009), Indian painter
*[[Tulsidas Mehta]], multiple times Member of Bihar Legislative Assembly, a former minister in [[Government of Bihar]].
*[[Uday Singh Mehta]], American political scientist
*[[Uday Singh Mehta]], American political scientist
*[[Veer Singh Mehta]] (born 1949), Indian neurosurgeon
*[[Veer Singh Mehta]] (born 1949), Indian neurosurgeon
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*[[Zubeida Begum]] (1926-1952), Indian actress born to Faiza Bai and Shri Qasembhai Mehta; she was married to Maharaja of Jodhpur, [[Hanwant Singh]]   
*[[Zubeida Begum]] (1926-1952), Indian actress born to Faiza Bai and Shri Qasembhai Mehta; she was married to Maharaja of Jodhpur, [[Hanwant Singh]]   
*[[Zubin Mehta]] (born 1936), Indian conductor of Western classical music
*[[Zubin Mehta]] (born 1936), Indian conductor of Western classical music
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Bharatpedia ♦♦♦--->  
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->  
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->  
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->  
{{surname}}
{{surname}}


== References ==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Indian surnames]]
[[Category:Gujarati-language surnames]]
[[Category:Gujarati-language surnames]]
[[Category:Khatri clans]]
[[Category:History of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Surnames of Indian origin]]
[[Category:Hindustani-language surnames]]
[[Category:Surnames of Hindu origin]]

Revision as of 16:19, 23 March 2026

For the village in Madhya Pradesh, India, see Mehta (village).

Mehta (Template:Ipa) is an Indian surname, derived from the Sanskrit word mahita meaning 'great' or 'praised'. It is found among several Indian religious groups, including Hindus, Jains, Parsis, and Sikhs. Among Hindus, it is used by a wide range of castes and social groups, including Koeri, Rajputs, Brahmins (Mohyal Brahmin) , Tyagi and Bania.[1][citation needed]

Distribution in India

People with this surname are native to North and Western regions of India, including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra (Mumbai).[1]

As surname used by Rajputs

Mehta is also a Rajput clan name in the Kumaon and Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and western areas of Nepal. They served as nobles, ministers and bureaucrats under the Katyuri Kings and Chand Kings of Uttarakhand. People having this surname are native to Almora, Bageshwar, and Nainital districts of Uttarakhand, eastern parts of Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir, and western Nepal. In Nepal, they come under the Chhetri varna and are considered chieftains of villages.[2]

In Rajasthan, Mehta was originally used as a term of respect applied to administrative office holders and bureaucrats of Rajputana kings. Among Rajputs, it is used as both title and surname by Dewans (ministers and nobles) of Bikaner State and many other states of Rajputana and are considered direct descendants of the Solar dynasty (Suryavanshi) and Chauhan Dynasty. The dewans and chief ministers of the Bikaner State were:

  • 1460–1465 Bachhraj Bothra (Mantri-Dewan / Jodhpur) / Rao Jodha
  • 1465–1505 Bachhraj Bothra (Founding Dewan / Bikaner) / Rao Bika
  • 1505–1526 Karam Singh Bothra Bachhawat (Descendants of Bachhraj were known as Bachhawats) / Rao Nar Singh and Rao Lunkaran
  • 1571–1591 Mehta Karam Chand Bachhawat (Title of Mehta granted by Emperor Akbar) / Rao Kalyan Mal and Raja Rai Singh
  • 1619–1620 Mehta Bhag Chand Bothra Bachhawat / Raja Sur Singh
  • 1619–1620 Mehta Lakshmi Chand Bothra Bachhawat / Raja Sur Singh
  • 1735 – February 1751: Mehta Bakhtawar Singh (1st time) (b. 1707 – d. 1779)
  • 1752–1756: Mehta Bakhtawar Singh (2nd time) (s.a.)
  • 1756 – December 1757: Mehta Prithvi Singh
  • 1757–1762: Mehta Bakhtawar Singh (3rd time) (s.a.)
  • September 1765 – 1779: Mehta Bakhtawar Singh (4th time) (s.a.)
  • 1779–178.: Mehta Swaroop Singh
  • 178.–1787: Mehta Thakursi
  • 1787–1791: Mehta Madho Rao
  • 1794–1805: Mehta Rao Sahib Singh Gun Roop
  • April 1815 – February 1816: Mehta Bhomji
  • February 1816 – 1828: Abhai Singh Mehta
  • 1853–1853: Leeladhar Mehta
  • 1868: Sheo Lal Mehta

As surname used by Banias

Among Oswal and Porwal Banias, Mehta is a clan name.[1]

As surname used by Khatris

Among Khatris, Mehta is a clan name.[1]

Notable individuals

Notable individuals with this surname include:

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-508137-4.
  2. ↑ "Mehta Surname".
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