QAZI
Qazi is a surname of Arabic origin, deriving from the term “Qadi” which translates to judge or magistrate within Islamic jurisprudence. The title was historically conferred upon individuals who wielded the highest judicial authority in Muslim societies, and it subsequently evolved into an occupational surname for those whose ancestors served in similar capacities.
In contemporary usage, Qazi is a common surname among Muslims in South Asia and the Middle East. It appears with notable frequency in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Malaysia, and it is also found among diaspora communities in the United Kingdom, the United States and Europe. The name is often borne by families engaged in banking, law, administration, landholding and entrepreneurship, reflecting the social status traditionally associated with the original title.
While the majority of those who carry the surname are adherents of Shia or Sunni Islam, Qazi families can also be identified within Hindu, Sikh and Parsi communities in the Indian sub‑continent. In the Sikh tradition, the surname is occasionally seen among members of the Qazizadeh tribe of Punjab, and it is used by some Sindhi descendants who migrated from Pakistan.
The surname is marked by a number of spelling variants, including Qazee, Qazey, Qassie, Kasee, and Kazi. These differences arise from transliteration practices and regional linguistic influences, yet all variants trace their roots back to the Arabic word signifying a judge or ruler.
In Pakistan, the Qazi surname is especially prevalent in Punjab and Sindh, provinces that historically hosted the early Muslim settlers of South Asia. In India, individuals bearing the name can often trace their lineage to the 11th‑century Muslim conquerors of the Delhi Sultanate, after whom they settled in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
The cultural significance of the name extends beyond its occupational origins; today it is regarded as a source of communal identity and pride within the Muslim world. The surname encapsulates a legacy of law, justice and scholarship, and it continues to serve as a marker of heritage for families across diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds.
Typical given names associated with the Qazi surname
Male
- Abdul
- Aejaz
- Ahmed
- Ali
- Habib
- Imran
- Mohammad
- Mohammed
- Muhammad
- Omar
- Shahid
- Tariq
Female
- Aisha
- Begum
- Hinna
- Huma
- Maria
- Naz
- Sadia
- Saira
- Samina
- Sana
- Sara
- Shabana
- Shazia
- Uzma
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Qazi in...
Braille
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Morse
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There are approximately 892 people named Qazi in the UK. That makes it roughly the 8,082nd most common surname in Britain. Around 14 in a million people in Britain are named Qazi.
Region of origin: Asia
Country of origin: Pakistan
Religion of origin: Muslim
