Patel

Patel (Gujarati: પટેલ, paṭel, pronounced [pəʈel]) (also known as a Patidar) is a surname of Indian origin, originally meaning "headman" or "village chief".

Patels are found in large numbers in the state of Gujarat in India (see Gujarati people). Information on the caste system in Hinduism indicates that farmers and agricultural workers tend to belong to Vaishya caste, the third highest caste (out of four).

Distribution

The name is found primarily in the Indian state of Gujarat, along with Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, as well as metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Delhi. Within the United Kingdom, it is the twenty-fourth most common surname nationally, and the third most common in the Greater London region. In the US, the surname "Patel" ranks 174 among the top 500 list of most common last names. The majority of those with the Patel last name are Hindus. However, Parsis and Muslims also carry the surname "Patel" (see also Muslim Patel).

Gujarat

Patels in Gujarat are divided into two major groups: 1) Kadava Patel 2) Leva Patel

A mythological story says that Lord Rama had two sons with his wife Sita: Luv and Kush. Leva Patels consider themselves the descendants of Luv and the Kadva Patels say they are descendants of Kush.

Some believe that Patels are descendants of Kshtryas known as the Kurmi Kshtryas. Over time, the word Kurmi changed to Kunbi and later to Kanbi. This Kurmi Kshatrya population grew in Punjab such that several families did not possess enough land to cultivate and this was one of the reasons for out migration. Another reason for this exodus from the Punjab area were the atrocities, mistreatment and loss of family members encountered during the attack by King Sairas of Iran in 600 B.C., King Dairas of Iran in 518 B.C and Alexander the Great of Greece in 300 B.C. These families called the Kurmi Kshtryas who endured losses of family members and setbacks emigrated eastbound or southbound towards Rajasthan, then to the area of present Gujarat, for survival as well as making a better life for their families. When the Kurmi Kshatriyas came to Gujarat, they first went to Saurastra, then to Vadnagar, later on to Vadodara & Baruch. During A.D 1820’s, the Kurmis, by that time known as Kanbis, moved to the area of current Surat District and then to Valsad District. In addition to being known as Kanbis, they were also known as Kadvas and Levas.

Patels are also classified based on the geographical regions. 1. Kachchi Patel: Kachchi Patels are one type of Kadava patel worshipping Shri Umiya Mata as their clan deity. 2. Mehsani Patel: Mehsani Patel are predominantly Kadava patel worshipping Shri Umiya Mata as their clan deity. They are mainly concentrated in North Gujarat's districts mainly in Mahesana and Gandhinagar. 3. Kathiawadi Patel: Kathiawadi/Saurashtra Patels are Leva Patel and Kadva Patel. Leva Patel are concentrated mainly in Saurashtra, Anand district, Charotar and Kheda district. Kadava Patels are mainly Junagadh, Rajkot, Jamanagar & Surendranagar district of Kathiawar or Suarashtra, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Banaskantha of North Gujarat and in North Rajasthan, Jaipur and rest of the Rajasthan. Leva Patel primarily worships Shri Khodiyar Mata, Mahisasur Mardini or Badhrakali as their clan deity.

Over history they have mostly been landowners and farmers.

Patels like most of the population in Gujarat are traditionally strict vegetarians.

Sardar Patel of Karamsad, Gujarat was a Charotari Leva Patel.

Patels are known for their entrepreneurial skills in business and agriculture having a strong hold in Gujarat and have made a name for themselves around the world. There are religious and ideological differences between various groups of Patels. They have their own social samaj (gatherings) and mandirs at various locations. The Patel community followed an age-old tradition of marrying within their ‘GOL' or circle, but with changes in economic status, global influence, literacy and education, changes are now taking place and Patels are increasingly marrying outside the Gols.

A subcaste of Rajasthani Patels are Khatroja, Asalaliya, Vastarpara, Sheliya, Meruliya, Magtarpara, Nadoda, Narola, Dholakiya, Khokhariya.. etc., and they live in Amreli district and come from Ahmedabad district There are some other castes like Dobariya,Shingala,Savaliya etc.

Other Indians who migrated out of what is now the state of Gujarat during the British Raj to British East Africa (Kenya and Uganda) sometimes adopted the surname 'Patel', and this surname was then subsequently passed onto their descendants (who now mainly reside outside Kenya and Uganda). Also, during the British Raj, some 'Patels' who migrated to British East Africa and the Union of South Africa (South Africa) adopted different surnames, usually the name of their village, their trade or even their grandfather's name. Subsequently, these surnames have been passed down to their descendants.

"Patel Motel" phenomenon

The "Patel motel" phenomenon, as it is popularly known, has made a major impact on the American hospitality industry.

A sizable number of Indian immigrants to the United States came in the 1960s and 1970s. Some came to pursue higher educations, but upon graduating with MBAs, Engineering, etc degrees could not find professional jobs or jobs that paid well. Many of them saved up and bought up undervalued and dilapidated properties and turned them into businesses. As many as 60% of mid-sized motels and hotel properties, all over the US, are owned by the people of Indian origin. Of this nearly one-third have the surname Patel - a popular one among Indian Gujaratis(those that came from Gujarat).)

"According to the Asian American Hotel Association (A.A.H.O.A), 50 percent of hotels and motels in the United States are owned by people of Indian Origin". A large immigrant population of Gujurati's came in the 1960s and 1970s. These Patels known as the founding fathers, worked hard and saved then invested in a lot of properties. Having a steady amount income and savings, they called over their distant relatives and friends from the villages of India. Upon their arrival, they would already have financial assistance from the founding fathers and start up their own businesses.

Notables

Further information: List of Patels

Sources

• Namesakes with surname Patel
• Phonosemantic analysis of surname Patel