Patel

Origin & History

Patel derives from the Sanskrit 'pattakila', meaning 'headman' or 'village chief', via the Old Gujarati 'patel'. The surname is characteristic of the Patidar (Patel) community of Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Historically they were landowning farming communities who served as village administrators under various Indian sultanates and the Mughal Empire. The Patel diaspora has a significant global presence, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States.