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The Mystery Behind Unusual Gujarati Surnames Like Machhar And Hathi
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News18•03-10-2026, 11:51
The Mystery Behind Unusual Gujarati Surnames Like Machhar And Hathi
- •Captain Smit Machhar gained global praise after saving 174 lives on Flydubai flight FZ1073, drawing immense curiosity toward his unique surname.
- •Unusual surnames like Machhar, Hathi, Ghoda, and Popat are prevalent in specific Gujarati communities including Nagar Brahmins and Lohanas.
- •Sociologists explain that these surnames often originated from ancestors' professions, physical traits, geographic locations, or expertise in treating insect bites.
- •The Machhar surname in the Lohana community has historical ties to the coastal Machhwara fishing community rather than the insect.
- •Noted sociologist Vinodini Nilkanth explored these origins in her 1942 book, noting how ancestral traits and identities became family surnames over time.
Key Questions Answered
Captain Smit Machhar is an Indian pilot who saved the lives of 174 people on Flydubai flight FZ1073. His bravery earned him heavy praise from world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Such unique surnames are found in Gujarati communities such as the Nagar Brahmin, Lohana, and Brahmkshatriya communities. Captain Smit Machhar himself belongs to the Gujarati Brahmkshatriya community.
While the surname sounds like mosquito, sociologists note it is mainly seen in the Lohana and Nagar Brahmin communities. A report by the Pakistani newspaper Dawn indicates the name connects to the coastal Machhwara or fisherman community rather than the insect.
