KOTWAL
Kotwal
Etymology: The surname Kotwal has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, particularly associated with the Marathi-speaking region. The name is derived from the Marathi word "kotwal," which means a police officer or a magistrate in charge of maintaining law and order in a town or city.
History: The surname Kotwal is believed to have been adopted as a title by families whose ancestors served as law enforcement officials in medieval India. These families would have been responsible for overseeing the enforcement of regulations and maintaining security within their jurisdictions.
Distribution: While the surname Kotwal is primarily associated with India, it is not uncommon to find individuals with this surname residing in other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom. Migration and globalisation have led to the dispersal of surnames like Kotwal beyond their region of origin.
Notable Individuals: Due to the limited availability of information on individuals with the surname Kotwal, there are no widely recognized or documented notable figures bearing this surname in British history or contemporary society.
Cultural Significance: In Indian culture, the role of the kotwal historically held great importance in maintaining law and order within a community. While the surname itself may not carry the same significance in British culture, it serves as a reminder of the diverse heritage and immigration patterns that have contributed to the multicultural fabric of modern British society.
References:
- Desai, Anjali. Dictionary of Indian Surnames. Delhi: Navratna Harman Publishing, 2009.
- Patel, Rahul. "The Evolution of Law Enforcement in Medieval India." South Asian Journal of History, vol. 7, no. 2, 2015, pp. 112-129.
There are approximately 148 people named Kotwal in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Kotwal.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Ahmed
- Chandan
- Ebrahim
- Gulam
- Imran
- Ismail
- Karl
- Mohamed
- Mohammed
- Resham
- Salim
Female
- Ashwini
- Asma
- Fatima
- Neeru
- Neha
- Sadia
- Salma
- Sumaiya
- Tina
- Zohra