What does the Saraf surname mean?

The Saraf surname means "Money changer / Banker". It is of Arabic (sarraf — money changer) origin and is predominantly found among Merchant/Banker communities in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi.

Saraf Surname

“Money changer / Banker”

Merchant/BankerArabic (sarraf — money changer) OriginHindi/Rajasthani

History & Significance

A Marwari and North Indian surname derived from the Arabic 'Sarraf' meaning money changer or banker. The Saraf community has historically been involved in indigenous banking (Hundis), money lending, and commodity trading across North India. The Sarraf/Saraf tradition of indigenous finance was central to India's pre-colonial commercial economy.

Meaning & Origin

Meaning: Money changer / Banker
Origin: Arabic (sarraf — money changer)
Language: Hindi/Rajasthani
Category: Merchant/Banker

Regional Distribution

The Saraf surname is predominantly found in:

RajasthanMadhya PradeshUttar PradeshDelhi

Related Surnames

Agarwal— From Agroha Gupta— Protected, secret Kothari— Treasurer / Keeper of the storehouse Jhunjhunwala— From Jhunjhunu (town in Rajasthan)

What is the Gotra for Saraf?

Gotra is passed down through the paternal line and may vary within families sharing the same surname. Use our Gotra Finder to discover which Gotra your family belongs to.

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