Mehta
Mehta is an Indian surname and may be derived from the Sanskrit word "महित", meaning 'Great', or 'Highly praised', or from the Tamil word "Mehthagu", which means "Worthy of respect", or "Your Excellency". It is often used to denote the Chief, Head or Thakur of a village or locality. It is found among several Indian communities, including Punjabis, Hindus, Jains, Parsis, Sindhis, and Sikhs. Among Hindus, it is used by a wide range of castes and social groups, including Brahmins, Rajputs and Bania (caste). Distribution in India. People with this surname are native to North and Western regions of  India, including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra (Mumbai). As surname used by Brahmins. Among Brahmins, Mehta surname is popularly used by Anavil Brahmins and Nagar Brahmins of Valsad and Surat regions of Gujarat. In the Gujarati language, the term was used to address teachers and accountants, becoming associated with these professions. Mohyal Brahmins of Punjab region (Vaid sub-clan), Bhumihar Brahmins of Eastern India, Kayasthas of Bihar and Bengal, Kashmiri Pandits 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. 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. 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 Suryavanshi Chauhan Dynasty. The Dewans and Chief Ministers of the Bikaner State were: As surname used by Banias. Among Oswals, Porwal Banias, and Punjabi Khatris, Mehta is a clan name. It is used as a Surname by the Khatri community including Aroras of Punjab, the Lohana and Sindhi community of Western Gujarat and Sindh, the Multani community of Multan  and Jains of Maharashtra and Mumbai. As surname by other social groups. Mehta is also seldom used as Surname by Yadav community of Rajasthan, 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 zamindars of Madhya Pradesh. Notable Mehtas. Notable individuals with this surname include: