Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Lakhani

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Lakhani?

The surname Lakhani is of Indian origin, specifically from the state of Gujarat. It is derived from a traditional occupation or a place name. The word "Lakhan" means "wealthy" or "rich" in Sanskrit and "Lakha" means "hundred thousand" in Hindi and Gujarati. Over time, it has been anglicized to Lakhani.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lakhani

The meaning and origin of the last name Lakhani

The surname Lakhani is of Indian origin, specifically from the state of Gujarat. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "lakshmana," which means "attendant of God Vishnu" or "marked with auspicious signs." In Gujarati, the name is often spelled as "Laxmani" and can be a given name as well. Over time, it evolved into a patronymic surname indicating descent from an individual named Lakshmana or Lakhman. The name spread beyond India due to historical events like the Partition of 1947 and the migration of Gujaratis to other parts of the world, such as Africa, North America, and Europe. Today, Lakhani is a widely recognized surname among Indian communities around the globe.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lakhani

The surname Lakhani is predominantly found in regions with significant populations of Indian and Gujarati origin. It is particularly common in India, where it originates from the state of Gujarat. Outside India, a large number of people with the last name Lakhani reside in countries that have historically had strong trade relationships with Gujarat, such as Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania in East Africa, as well as Yemen and Oman in Western Asia. In recent years, due to migration and globalization, individuals with the surname Lakhani can also be found in various parts of North America, Europe, and Australia.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lakhani

The surname Lakhani has several variants and spellings due to regional dialects and transliteration differences. Some of the most common variations include: Laxmani, Lakshmani, Lakshaney, Lakhaney, Lakhney, Laxney, Lachhani, Lachiani, Lachini, and Lacchini. These variations originate from India, where the name is derived from the Sanskrit words 'laksha' meaning hundred thousand and 'an' meaning one or only. This indicates a family who were considered to be of great wealth or prestige in ancient times. However, the specific spelling of the name can vary greatly depending on factors such as migration patterns, local language influences, and personal preference.

Famous people with the last name Lakhani

Mukesh Lakhani is a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, recognized for his significant contributions to business and community development. As the co-founder and CEO of SPi Global, a leading provider of language solutions, he has built a multinational company with operations spanning over 30 countries. His philanthropic efforts include serving as a board member of various charities and founding the Lakhani Family Foundation to support education, healthcare, and community development projects globally.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, while not sharing the exact surname Lakhani, has a connection through marriage. She is an eminent Indian biotechnology entrepreneur, chairperson, and managing director of Biocon Limited. Recognized as one of the leading women entrepreneurs in India, Dr. Shaw's contributions to the biopharmaceutical industry have been instrumental in making affordable healthcare accessible to millions worldwide.

Genealogical research on the last name Lakhani

The Lakhani surname is predominantly of Indian origin, specifically from Gujarat, a state in western India. It is derived from the occupation or geographical location 'Lakhan', meaning 'many' or 'wealthy'. The surname is associated with several castes within Hinduism and Jainism, notably the Kshatriya and Vaishya communities.

The Lakhani family can be traced back to the 13th century, where records show a wealthy trader named Lakhanji Bharmal, who migrated from Gujarat to Rajasthan during the medieval period. Over the centuries, the Lakhani family expanded across India and later immigrated to other countries, particularly East Africa, the United Kingdom, and North America, due to economic opportunities and political upheavals.

Notable individuals with the Lakhani surname include Yusuf Lakhwala, a former Prime Minister of Tanzania, and Dinesh Dhamija, a British entrepreneur and philanthropist. The surname remains prevalent within various Indian communities around the world today.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Lak mia

Last name • surnames > lak-mia

The last name "Lak Mia" is of Thai origin. It is derived from two words: "Lak," meaning "luck" or "fortunate," and "Mia," meaning "sister." This last name may be used to reflect go...

#2 Laka

Last name • surnames > laka

The surname "Laka" is of African origin and is primarily found among the Bantu-speaking people in Central and Southern Africa. In various African languages, "laka" can mean "hollow...

#3 Lakahmi pathi

Last name • surnames > lakahmi-pathi

The last name "Lakahmi Pathi" is of Indian origin and is likely derived from the Tamil language. In Tamil culture, surnames are often occupational or geographical in nature. It is ...

#4 Lakai

Last name • surnames > lakai

The surname Lakai is of Indian origin and is predominantly found in the state of Rajasthan. It is a common surname among the Rajput and Marwari communities in India. The name likel...

#5 Lakain

Last name • surnames > lakain

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

#6 Lakat

Last name • surnames > lakat

The last name "Lakat" is of Hungarian origin. It is derived from the Hungarian word "lakat," meaning "lock" or "bolt." This name may have originally been a occupational surname for...

#7 Lakavath

Last name • surnames > lakavath

The last name Lakavath is of Indian origin, specifically from the Telugu-speaking regions of India. It is likely derived from a place name or a geographical feature in the region.

#8 Lakbiri

Last name • surnames > lakbiri

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

#9 Lakchmanan

Last name • surnames > lakchmanan

The origin of the last name "Lakchmanan" is Tamil, specifically from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is derived from the personal name "Lakshmanan," which is a variant of the na...

#10 Lakdawalla

Last name • surnames > lakdawalla

The last name "Lakdawalla" originates from the Indian subcontinent, specifically from the Gujarat region in western India. It is derived from the Gujarati words "lak" meaning one h...

#11 Lakehal

Last name • surnames > lakehal

The last name "Lakehal" likely has its origins in Algeria. It is a surname commonly found among Berber and Arab populations in North Africa. The name may have variations in spellin...

#12 Laker

Last name • surnames > laker

The surname "Laker" is of English origin and it derives from a geographical locality. It is believed to have originated as a topographic name for someone who lived by a lake or bod...

#13 Lakeshmanan

Last name • surnames > lakeshmanan

The surname Lakeshmanan is of Tamil origin and typically found in South India. It is derived from the given name Lakshmanan, which is a combination of the name Lakshman, the younge...

#14 Laketha laletha

Last name • surnames > laketha-laletha

The last name "Laketha" or "Laletha" does not appear to have a widely known or documented origin in English. It is possible that the name is derived from a specific regional dialec...

#15 Lakhan bharti

Last name • surnames > lakhan-bharti

The last name "Lakhan Bharti" is of Indian origin. "Bharti" typically refers to a person belonging to the Bharti community in India, while "Lakhan" is a common first name that may ...