Patel

Patel (also known as a Patidar) is surname of Indian origin mainly used by people belonging to Hindu Agricultural Communities viz. Kurmi or Kunbi,Hendre, Koli or Koeris, Adivasi(Indian Aborigines), Teli, etc. Muslim Community people of Maharashtra and Gujarat in India and Pakistan also use Patel surname.

Distribution

The name Patel is found primarily in the Indian state of Gujarat,^[1] along with Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, as well as metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Delhi. Within the United Kingdom, it is the twenty-fourth most common surname nationally,^[2] and the third most common in the Greater London region.^[3] In the US, the surname "Patel" ranks 174 among the top 500 list of most common last names.^[4] The majority of those with the Patel last name are Hindus. However, Parsis and Muslims also carry the surname "Patel" (see also Muslim Patel).^[5]

Gujarat

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Patel represents a section of Gujarati population that were historically farmers and landowners; the term patel itself meaning "village headman".^[6] The Patels forms large population in the state of Gujarat in India and also the United Kingdom and the United States. Gujarati Patels were historically landowners and farmers, and traditionally strict vegetarians. The Patel community varies by religion and ideology, with disparate groups having their own samaj (social gatherings) and mandirs. Traditionally Gujarati Patels married within their own gol (circle), though this custom had faded in the modern era.

Diaspora

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Other Indians who migrated out of what is now the state of Gujarat during the British Raj to British East Africa (Kenya and Uganda) sometimes adopted the surname Patel, and this surname was then subsequently passed onto their descendants (who now mainly reside outside Kenya and Uganda). Also, during the British Raj, some 'Patels' who migrated to British East Africa and the Union of South Africa (South Africa) adopted different surnames, usually the name of their village, their trade or even their grandfather's name. Subsequently, these surnames have been passed down to their descendants.

"Patel Motel" phenomenon

The "Patel motel" phenomenon, as it is popularly known, has made a major impact on the American hospitality industry.

A sizable number of Indian immigrants to the United States came in the 1960s and 1970s. Some came to pursue higher educations, but upon graduating with MBAs, Engineering, etc. degrees could not find professional jobs or jobs that paid well. Many of them saved up and bought up undervalued and dilapidated properties and turned them into businesses.^[7] As many as 60% of mid-sized motels and hotel properties, all over the US, are owned by the people of Indian origin. Of this nearly one-third have the surname Patel - a popular one among Indian Gujaratis (those that came from Gujarat).^[8][9]

"According to the Asian American Hotel Association (A.A.H.O.A), 50 percent of hotels and motels in the United States are owned by people of Indian Origin".^[10] A large immigrant population of Gujuratis came in the 1960s and 1970s. These Patels are known as founding fathers, having worked hard and saved, then invested in many properties. Having a steady amount income and savings, they called over their distant relatives and friends from the villages of India. Upon their arrival, they would already have financial assistance from the founding fathers and start up their own businesses.

Notables

It has been suggested that List of Patels be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) Proposed since April 2012.

References

Sources

• Namesakes with surname Patel at SurnameAnalysis.com