Bhat (also spelled as Bhatt or Butt, ) is a

Brahmin Brahmin (; ) is a ''Varna (Hinduism), varna'' (theoretical social classes) within Hindu society. The other three varnas are the ''Kshatriya'' (rulers and warriors), ''Vaishya'' (traders, merchants, and farmers), and ''Shudra'' (labourers). Th ...

surname used in the

Indian subcontinent The Indian subcontinent is a physiographic region of Asia below the Himalayas which projects into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west. It is now divided between Bangladesh, India, and Pakista ...

. Bhat and Bhatt are shortened renditions of Bhatta or Brahmabhatta.

Etymology

The word "Bhat" (, ) means "scholar" in

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...

. While the original shortened rendition of "Bhatta" was "Bhat" or "Bhatt," many of the Kashmiri Brahmin migrants to the

Punjab Punjab (; ; also romanised as Panjāb or Panj-Āb) is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia. It is located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising areas of modern-day eastern Pakistan and no ...

region started spelling their surname as "Butt", which is the transliteration of the name when written using the Urdu/Persian alphabet (as opposed to Bhat when using the Devanagari alphabet).

Geographic distribution

Goa

The surname is in use among some Konkani

Goud Saraswat Brahmins Gaud Saraswat Brahmins (GSB) (also Goud or Gawd), also known as Shenvis are a Hindu community of contested caste status and identity. They primarily speak Konkani and its various dialects as their mother tongue. They claim to be Saraswat Brah ...

as well as

Konkani __NOTOC__ Konkani may refer to: Language * Konkani language is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Konkan region of India. * Konkani alphabets, different scripts used to write the language **Konkani in the Roman script, one of the scripts used to ...

Christians A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the world. The words '' Christ'' and ''C ...

(who trace their ancestry to the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins of

Goa Goa (; ; ) is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is bound by the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north, and Karnataka to the ...

Kashmir

Bhat, also spelled as Bhatt, Batt or Butt, is a

Kashmiri Pandit The Kashmiri Pandits (also known as Kashmiri Brahmins) are a group of Kashmiri Hindus and a part of the larger Saraswat Brahmin community of India. They belong to the Pancha Gauda Brahmin group from the Kashmir Valley, located within the In ...

surname found among the

Saraswat Brahmin Saraswat Brahmins are spread over widely separated regions spanning from Kashmir and Punjab in North India to Konkan in West India to Kanara (coastal region of Karnataka) and Kerala in South India. In places such as western and southern India, ...

s indigenous to the

Kashmir Valley The Kashmir Valley, also known as the Vale of Kashmir, is an intermontane valley in northern Jammu and Kashmir, a region in Indian-administered Kashmir.(a) (subscription required) Quote: "Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcont ...

, as well as the Kashmiri Brahmins who migrated to

, a region now divided between India and the neighbouring

Pakistan Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the Islam by country# ...

. The Bhats who migrated to Punjab in the late 19th century and the early 20th century due to the 1878 drought, were

migrants from Kashmir, escaping discrimination by local rulers and seeking trade opportunities. The surname is now shared by both

Kashmiri Hindus Kashmiri Hindus are ethnic Kashmiris who practice Hinduism and are native to the Kashmir Valley of India. With respect to their contributions to Indian philosophy, Kashmiri Hindus developed the tradition of Kashmiri Shaivism. After their exodu ...

and

Kashmiri Muslims Kashmiri Muslims are ethnic Kashmiris who practice Islam and are native to the Kashmir Valley of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. Quote: "Jammu and Kashmir: Territory in northwestern India, subject to a dispute between India and Pakistan ...

who mostly retained their

Hindu Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...

last names.

Punjab

Some Bhats/Butts found in the

Punjab region Punjab (; ; also romanised as Panjāb or Panj-Āb) is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia. It is located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising areas of modern-day eastern Pakistan and no ...

are descendants of those

Kashmiri Brahmins The Kashmiri Pandits (also known as Kashmiri Brahmins) are a group of Kashmiri Hindus and a part of the larger Saraswat Brahmin community of India. They belong to the Pancha-Gauda, Pancha Gauda Brahmin group from the Kashmir Valley, located w ...

who migrated to different cities of (undivided) Punjab from the princely state of

Jammu and Kashmir Jammu and Kashmir may refer to: * Jammu and Kashmir (union territory), a region administered by India as a union territory since 2019 * Jammu and Kashmir (state), a region administered by India as a state from 1952 to 2019 * Jammu and Kashmir (prin ...

during the 1878 famine in

British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance in South Asia. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one form or another ...

. In

Ludhiana Ludhiana () is the most populous Cities in India, city in the Indian state of Punjab, India, Punjab.164.100.161.224 http://164.100.161.224 › filesPDF Ludhiana State: Punjab Business & Industrial Centre, Tier 2 1 ... The city has an estima ...

, Kashmiris became known for their contribution to the handicraft arena.

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

The word Bhaṭṭa (Kannada:ಭಟ್ಟ) or Bhaṭṭar (Tamil:பட்டர்) or Bhaṭṭu (Telugu:భట్టు) is traditionally used, especially in the states of

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...

Karnataka Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...

Telangana Telangana is a States and union territories of India, state in India situated in the Southern India, south-central part of the Indian subcontinent on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, ele ...

and

Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (ISO 15919, ISO: , , AP) is a States and union territories of India, state on the East Coast of India, east coast of southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, seventh-largest state and th ...

usually to denote a "learned man" or a "scholar" (

Brahmins Brahmin (; ) is a ''Varna (Hinduism), varna'' (theoretical social classes) within Hindu society. The other three varnas are the ''Kshatriya'' (rulers and warriors), ''Vaishya'' (traders, merchants, and farmers), and ''Shudra'' (labourers). Th ...

), but also in other southern states. It was originally used as an honorific like śāstri or paṇḍita, but has become a surname in parts of the country in modern times used as a family name rather than an honorific. In Southern Karnataka naming convention followed is such that, generally, one's father's name is kept as the surname irrespective of caste and many of these honorifics continue to be used as honorifics. In earlier times a caste name or village name was used by the Tamils as their last name, but due to the influence of the

Dravidian movement Dravidian politics is the main political ideology in Tamil Nadu that seeks to safeguard the rights of the Dravidian peoples. Dravidian politics started in British India with the formation of the Justice Party on 20 November 1916 in Victoria ...

, Tamils of all castes have mostly given up caste surnames. However, women frequently adopt their father's or husband's name and take it for successive generations. But, honorific like Bhaṭṭar are still in use in spoken language rather than as a surname. This surname is commonly found in

Havyaka Brahmins Havyaka Brahmin, originally called Havika Brahmana, is a Hindu Brahmin community native to the districts of Shivamogga, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu / Coorg,coastal Karnataka and the Kasaragod district of Kerala. Havyakas fall und ...

Kota Brahmins Kota Brahmins are a Hindu Brahmin subcaste mainly from the Indian state of Karnataka. Kota Brahmins take their name from their native village Kota. They speak a Kannada dialect different from the other regional dialects. Kota Brahmins are mai ...

Shivalli Brahmins The Shivalli Brahmins are a Hindu Brahmin community mainly in Tulunad region of South West India. They are divided into two groups, the first of who follow the Dvaita philosophy founded by the Vaishnava saint Madhvacharya of Udupi are calle ...

Sthanika Brahmins Sthānika Brāhmins belong to Hindu Tuluva Smartha Brahmin group. They are the oldest Tulu Brāhmins primarily from the coastal Karnataka (Kanara) also known as Parasurama Kshetra. They are the main Prathistapanacharyas/Founders of all ancie ...

, Koteshwara Brahmins, Kandavara Brahmins, Hoysala Brahmins of Karnataka.

Notable individuals

Academics

Aryabhata Aryabhata ( ISO: ) or Aryabhata I (476–550 CE) was the first of the major mathematician-astronomers from the classical age of Indian mathematics and Indian astronomy. His works include the '' Āryabhaṭīya'' (which mentions that in 3600 ' ...

(476–550 CE), first of the major mathematician-astronomers from the classical age of Indian mathematics and astronomy * B. V. Rajarama Bhat, Indian mathematician *

Bāṇabhaṭṭa Bāṇabhaṭṭa () was a 7th-century Sanskrit prose writer and poet from India. He was the ''Asthana Kavi'' in the court of the Emperor Harsha, during his reign at Kanyakubja. Bāna's principal works include a biography of Harsha, the ''Ha ...

, prose writer and poet *

Eric Bhat Eric Bhat (22 November 1956 – 8 June 2025) was a French journalist who specialized in automobile racing. After his studies at the , he began his career with '. He was also founder and editor-in-chief of the magazine '. After a trip to India in ...

(1956–2025), French journalist * Kiran Bhat (born 1990), Indian-American novelist *

Mayurbhatta Mayūrabhaṭṭa () was a 7th-century Sanskrit poet and Hindu scholar, who is noted for having composed the Sūryaśataka. He was the brother-in-law of Bāṇabhaṭṭa, the court poet of Emperor Harsha. Composition of the Suryashataka May ...

, poet of Harsha's court * Miriam Butt, Professor of Linguistics and Chair of the Department of Linguistics (Facereich Sprachwissenschaft) at the University of Konstanz *

Motiram Bhatta Motiram Bhatta (; 1866–1896) (1923–1953 BS) was a Nepalese poet, singer, essayist, publisher, literary critic and biographer. He is considered the first biographer and literary critic of Nepali literature and is credited for starting the fir ...

(1866–1896), Nepali Sanskrit and Khas language poet * Muhammad Asim Butt, Pakistani Urdu novelist and short story writer * P. Gururaja Bhat (1924–1978), Indian archaeologist * Pamposh Bhat (born 1958), Kashmiri Indian environmentalist * Rasheed Butt (born 1944), renowned Pakistani artist and recipient of "The Pride of Performance" 1989 * Shyam Bhat, physician *

Suresh Bhat Suresh Bhat (15 April 1932 – 14 March 2003) was a Marathi poet from the state of Maharashtra, India. Personal life Bhat was born in a Karhade Brahmin family in Amravati, Maharashtra to Shridhar Bhat, a physician. His mother was fond of po ...

(1932–2003), Marathi Indian ghazal writer * U. Narayan Bhat (born 1934), Indian mathematician * U. R. Bhat, economist * Vasanti N. Bhat-Nayak, Indian mathematician * Vinay Bhat (born 1984), American chess player

Actors, models, technicians and musicians

* Ahmed Butt (born 1975), male Pakistani model and actor * Ali Azmat Butt (born 20 April 1970), Pakistani rock artist and former lead singer of rock band Junoon *

Alia Bhatt Alia Bhatt (; born 15 March 1993) is a British actress of Indian descent who predominantly works in Hindi films. Known for Alia Bhatt filmography, her portrayals of women in challenging circumstances, she has received List of awards and nomin ...

(born 1993), Bollywood actress * Ambreen Butt, Pakistani model *

Anuradha Bhat Anuradha Bhat is an Indian playback singer who predominantly works in Kannada language films. She has sung over 100 songs for feature films and also sung in various private musical albums. Early life and background Anuradha Bhat was born to ...

(born 1969), Indian playback singer * Asha Bhat (born 1992), Indian model * Asim Butt (born 1978), Pakistani painter and sculptor and a member of the Stuckist Art Movement * Biraj Bhatta, Nepalese actor * DJ Butt (born 1987), Pakistani disc jockey for PTI * Farhan Saeed Butt (born 1984), Pakistani singer and member of rock band Jal * Imran Imtiaz Butt, Pakistani singer *

Ganapati Bhat Pandit Ganapati Bhat, popularly known as Ganapati Bhat Hasanagi, is an Indian Hindustani classical vocalist. He belongs to Kirana - Gwalior Gharana. He is a resident guru at Dr. Gangubai Hangal Gurukul Trust in Hubli. He was born and brought u ...

, Hindustani classical vocalist *

Hrishitaa Bhatt Hrishitaa Bhatt (born 10 May 1981), also spelled as Hrishita Bhat, is an Indian actress and model. She debuted in the film ''Asoka (2001 film), Asoka'' (2001) opposite Shah Rukh Khan, but it was ''Haasil (film), Haasil'' (2003) that brought her f ...

, Indian model * Keerthi Bhat (born 1999), Indian actress *

Mahesh Bhatt Mahesh Bhatt (born 20 September 1948) is an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter known for his works in Hindi cinema. He has received List of awards and nominations received by Mahesh Bhatt, a number of accolades, including four Nati ...

(born 1948), Indian film producer and director * Muhammad Younis Butt (born 1962), Pakistani screenwriter * Neil Bhatt, Indian television actor, dancer and choreographer *

Osman Khalid Butt Osman Khalid Butt () is a Pakistani film, television and theatre actor, writer and choreographer. He is best known for his role as Wali Sohaib Khan in '' Diyar-e-Dil'' (2015), Faaz Ibrahim in '' Chupke Chupke'' (2021) and Malik Shahzain in '' Eh ...

(born 1986), Pakistani actor *

Pooja Bhatt Pooja Bhatt (born 24 February 1972) is an Indian actress, director, and filmmaker who works in Hindi films. She established herself as one of the leading actresses of the 1990s and is the recipient of several accolades, including two National ...

(born 1972), Indian actress *

Praneet Bhat Praneet Bhat is an Indian television actor best known for his role as Shakuni in the epic TV series '' Mahabharat'' (2013–2014). Early life Bhat is a Kashmiri Pandit and hails from Srinagar. After completing his engineering, he worked with a ...

, Kashmiri Indian actor *

Rabia Butt Rabia Butt (born Rabia Rashid, 26 February 1990), is a Pakistani supermodel, and actress. She has been the face of many leading brands in Pakistan, including Khaadi, Élan, and Sapphire. She has won two Lux Style Awards and a BCW award for her ...

, Pakistani model * Rahul Bhat, Kashmiri Indian actor *

Ramesh Bhat Ramesh Bhat is a multiple-award–winning Indian actor. He has worked predominantly in Kannada films and television serials. Early life Ramesh Bhat was born in Kundapur, Karnataka. He completed his primary education at Manki and portrayed nat ...

, Indian actor * Samina Peerzada Butt, Pakistani actress *

Tanmay Bhat Tanmay Bhat (born 23 June 1987) is an Indian YouTuber, comedian, scriptwriter, actor, performer and producer. He is the co-founder and former CEO/CFO/Driver of the creative agency '' All India Bakchod'' (AIB) along with Gursimran Khamba. In 20 ...

, Indian actor and comedian *

Yogaraj Bhat Yogaraj Bhat (born 8 October 1972) is an Indian film-maker, director, screenwriter, lyricist and producer who primarily works in Kannada cinema. He is most known for the 2006 film '' Mungaru Male''. The film recorded the highest box-office coll ...

(born 1972), Indian film writer and director

Businesspeople

Baiju Bhatt Baiju Prafulkumar Bhatt (born 1984/1985) is an American entrepreneur. He is the founder of Aetherflux, a space-based solar energy company, and the co-founder and former co-chief executive officer of Robinhood, a US-based financial services comp ...

(born 1984/1985), American billionaire, co-founder of Robinhood

Military

* Malik Tazi Bhat, 15th-century warlord, from Jammu, who fought the Lodhi Dynasty * Muhammad Zaki Butt (1929–1993), former Air Commodore in the Pakistan Air Force and bodyguard of Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah * Tahir Rafique Butt (born 1955), 20th Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force * Ziauddin Butt, former Chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence

Politics

* Balaji Vishwanath Bhat (born 1662), Peshwa of the Maratha Empire *

Ghulam Mustafa Bhat Ghulam Mustafa Bhat () was the senior leader of Jammu & Kashmir National Conference and Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, the summer capital of the Indian territory A territory is an area of land, sea, or space, belonging or connecte ...

, former mayor of Srinagar *

Hassan Butt Hassan Butt () (born 1980) is a British Pakistani former spokesman of the radical Islamic group al-Muhajiroun who now calls on Muslims to "renounce terror".

(born 1980), the former spokesman for the disbanded British Islamist group Al-Muhajiroun * Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif, First Lady of Pakistan, wife of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, of Kashmiri origin * Khemraj Bhatta "Mayalu",

Nepali Congress The Nepali Congress ( ; Abbreviation, abbr. NC), colloquially the Congress Party, or simply the Congress, is a Social democracy, social democratic List of political parties in Nepal, political party in Nepal and the largest party in the country ...

politician * Lekh Raj Bhatta, Nepali

CPN Maoist CPN may refer to: * Calpine Corporation, New York Stock Exchange symbol CPN * ''Carnivorous Plant Newsletter'' * Carpinteria (Amtrak station), California, Amtrak station code CPN * Caspian Airlines (Iran), ICAO airline designator ''CPN'' * Celiac pl ...

politician * Masarat Alam Bhat (born 1971), Kashmiri separatist * Maqbool Bhat (1938–1984), executed Kashmiri separatist * Sanjiv Bhatt former

Indian Police Service The Indian Police Service (IPS) is a civil service under the All India Services. It replaced the Indian Imperial Police in 1948, a year after India became Partition of India, independent from the British Empire. Along with the Indian Admini ...

officer * Shakeel Bhat (born c. 1978), outspoken Kashmiri separatist activist, labelled as an "Islamic Rage Boy" by Western media * S. L. Bhat, Kashmiri Indian serving as chairman of the Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission * Shailen Bhatt administrator of the Federal Highway Administration * Sohail Shaukat Butt (born 1983), Pakistani politician * Trilochan Bhatta (born 1969), Nepalese politician and current Chief Minister of Sudurpashchim Province, Nepal * Umer Tanveer Butt (born 1982), politician and Member of the Punjab Provincial Assembly, businessman, and philanthropist

Scientists

* Atul Butte, researcher in biomedical informatics and biotechnology entrepreneur in Silicon Valley * Noor Muhammad Butt (born 1936), Pakistani nuclear physicist, research scientist, and chairman of the Pakistan Science Foundation *

Parvez Butt Parvez Butt (Urdu: پرویز بٹ; b. 4 October 1942; ) is a Pakistani mechanical engineer and public official who served as the chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission from 2001 till 2006. His career is mostly spent at the Pakista ...

(born 1942), Pakistani nuclear engineer and former chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission

Sports

* Abhishek Bhat (born 1989), Indian cricket player *

Amad Butt Amad Butt (born 10 May 1995) is a cricketer from Punjab, Pakistan. Domestic career He was the leading wicket-taker for Habib Bank Limited in the 2017–18 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, with 39 dismissals in eight matches. In April 2018, he was named ...

(born 1995), Pakistani cricket player for Islamabad United, of Kashmiri origin * Arif Butt (1944–2007), Pakistani cricket player *

Arvind Bhat Arvind Bhat (born 7 June 1979) is a male badminton player from Bangalore, India. Career Arvind started his career in Youth centre at the age of 11 in 1991. He proved his mettle at a young age by winning many age group level events at the state ...

(born 1979), Indian badminton player *

Danish Farooq Bhat Danish Farooq Bhat (born 9 May 1996) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters. Club career Early career Danish started his early football career with a local team Chin ...

(born 1996), Indian professional footballer * Ghulam Mohammad Baksh Butt (1878—1960), popularly known by his

ring name A ring name is a type of stage name or nickname used by an athlete such as a professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, or boxer whose real name is considered unattractive, dull, difficult to pronounce or spell, amusing for the wrong reasons ...

the Great Gama,

pehlwani Pehlwani, also known as Kushti, is a form of wrestling contested in the Indian subcontinent. It was developed in the Mughal Empire by combining Persian Pahlevani and zoorkhaneh rituals, Koshti pahlevani with influences from native Indian Malla- ...

wrestler of Kashmiri Muslim origin * Hussain Butt (born 1976), Pakistani cricketer * Ijaz Butt (1938–2023), former chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board and cricket player, of Kashmiri origin * Ikram Butt (born 1968), rugby player for England, of Pakistani/Kashmiri origin * Muhammad Sharif Butt (1926–2015), Pakistani sprinter * Pramila Bhatt (born 1969), Indian cricketer * Raghuram Bhat (born 1958), Indian cricketer * Rehan Butt (born 1980), Pakistani field hockey player *

Sadia Butt Sadia Bano Butt (born 2 March 1975) is a Pakistani former cricketer who played primarily as a right-arm Fast bowling, medium-fast Bowling (cricket), bowler. She appeared in three Women's Test cricket, Test matches and 24 Women's One Day Internati ...

(born 1975), Pakistani cricketer *

Salman Butt Salman Butt ( Punjabi:سلمان بٹ; born 7 October 1984) is a former Pakistani cricketer and captain who played for Pakistan national cricket team between 2003 and 2010, before getting banned for five years for his involvement in a 2010 spo ...

(born 1984), Pakistani cricketer * Samad Bhat (born 1995), Indian cricket player * Shujauddin Butt (1930–2006), Pakistani cricketer *

Yasir Butt Yasir Ali Butt (born 3 July 1988 in Lahore, Pakistan) is a professional squash (sport), squash player who has represented Pakistaninternationally. He reached a Professional Squash Association (PSA) ranking of World No. 40 in July 2008 and Super ...

(born 1986), Pakistani squash player * Yousuf Butt (born 1989), Pakistani footballer

Fictional

* Babu Bhatt,

Pakistani Pakistanis (, ) are the citizens and nationals of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Pakistan is the fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the second-largest Muslim population as of 2023. As much as ...

restaurateur in the U.S. sitcom

Seinfeld ''Seinfeld'' ( ) is an American television sitcom created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, with a total of nine seasons consisting of List of Seinfeld episodes, 180 episodes. It ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhat (Kashmir) Brahmin communities Ethnic groups in India Indian castes Surnames of Indian origin Surnames Brahmin communities of Uttarakhand Kashmiri-language surnames Kashmiri tribes