Mahto or Mahato is a surname used by several castes and communities in Nepal and the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha in India. Historically, Mahato was the hereditary title of the village headman, whose duties were to maintain peace in his area, and collect revenue for the ''

zamindar A zamindar in the Indian subcontinent was an autonomous or semi-autonomous feudal lord of a ''zamindari'' (feudal estate). The term itself came into use during the Mughal Empire, when Persian was the official language; ''zamindar'' is the ...

'' (feudal landlord). In multi-caste villages of

Bihar Bihar ( ) is a states and union territories of India, state in Eastern India. It is the list of states and union territories of India by population, second largest state by population, the List of states and union territories of India by are ...

, the zamindar used to give the title of ''Mahato'' to one person each from the

Bhumihar Bhumihar, also locally called Bhuinhar and Babhan, a Hindu Indian caste system, caste mainly found in Bihar (including the Mithila (region), Mithila region), the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, the Bundelkhand region of Madhya ...

Yadav Yadavs are a grouping of non-elite, peasant-pastoral Quote: "The Yadavs were traditionally a low-to-middle-ranking cluster of pastoral-peasant castes that have become a significant political force in Uttar Pradesh (and other northern states l ...

, and

Beldar The Beldar are a historically nomadic caste, originally from Northern India and now inhabiting many other parts of that country. History and origin The community are the traditionally natives of North India, and are similar to the Odh communiti ...

caste. In Bihar, the surname Mahto is also used by people belonging to

Kushwaha Kushwaha (sometimes Kushvaha), is a community of the Indo-Gangetic Plain that has traditionally been involved in agriculture, including beekeeping. The term has been used to represent different sub-castes of the Kachhis, Kachhvahas, Koeris ...

caste. In Jharkhand, it is a term most often associated with

Koeri The Koeri (spelt as Koiry or Koiri), also referred to as Kushwaha and more recently self-described as Maurya in several parts of northern India are an Indian non-elite caste, found largely in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, whose traditional oc ...

and

Kurmi Kurmi is traditionally a non-elite tiller caste in the lower Gangetic plain of India, especially southern regions of Awadh, eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of Bihar and Jharkhand. The Kurmis came to be known for their exceptional work ethic, ...

caste. The castes and communities that use Mahto, Mehto or Mahato as a surname, clan name or title include:

Notable people

Notable people with the surname Mahto or Mahato include: * Abha Mahato (born 1964), Indian politician from Jharkhand *

Aklu Ram Mahto Aklu Ram Mahto (1940 – 2020) was an Indian politician from Jharkhand, who served as Minister for Finance and Institution in undivided Bihar. He was a member of Rashtriya Janata Dal, having served as important functionary in several other polit ...

(1940–2020), Indian politician from Jharkhand, served as Minister of Finance in undivided Bihar * Amit Mahto, Indian politician from Jharkhand *

Anand Mahato Anand Mahato (born January 23, 1942) was an Indian politician and social worker who served four terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Sindri Assembly constituency in Dhanbad, Jharkhand. An advocate for workers' rights and ...

, Indian politician from Jharkhand * Ashwamedh Mahto (born 1967), Indian politician from Bihar *

Bablu Mahato Bablu Mahato, also known as Chandradeo Mahato, is an Indian politician and mla from Sindri Assembly constituency Jharkhand. He is the son of Anand Mahato, a well-known political figure in Jharkhand. Anand Mahato served as a four-time MLA fro ...

, Indian politician from Jharkhand * Baidyanath Prasad Mahto (born 1947), Indian politician from Bihar *

Bandhu Mahto Bandhu Mahto (born 10 November 1934) is an Indian politician. He was a Member of Parliament, representing Bihar in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India's Parliament, representing the Indian National Congress The Indian National ...

, Indian politician from Bihar *

Baneswar Mahato Baneswar Mahato is an Indian politician from Bharatiya Janata Party. In May 2021, he was elected as a member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from Balarampur (constituency). He defeated Shantiram Mahato of All India Trinamool Congress ...

, Indian politician from West Bengal * Banshilal Mahto (1940–2019), Indian politician from Chhattisgarh * Bebi Mahto, Member of Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, minister in Government of Jharkhand * Bhajahari Mahato (1911–2003), Indian politician from West Bengal *

Bidyut Baran Mahato Bidyut Baran Mahato () is an Indian politician and a member of parliament to the 16th Lok Sabha from Jamshedpur (Lok Sabha constituency), Jharkhand. He won the 2014 Indian general election General elections were held in India in nine pha ...

(born 1963), Indian politician from Jharkhand *

Binod Bihari Mahato Binod Bihari Mahato (23 September 1923 – 18 December 1991) was an advocate and politician. He founded Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in 1972 and was a leader of the movement for the establishment of the separate state of Jharkhand. He was a member of ...

(1923–1991), Indian politician and advocate from Jharkhand * Bir Singh Mahato (1945–2021), Indian politician from West Bengal * Birendra Prasad Mahato, Nepalese politician * Buli Mahato (Died 14 June 1834), A revolutionary leader of the anti-British Rebellion from Jharkhand * Chhatradhar Mahato (born 1964), Indian political activist from West Bengal *

Chanku Mahato Chanku Mahato (9 February 1816 – 15 May 1856) was a freedom fighter of British India hailing from Kudmi Mahato community. Born in Rangamatia village of Godda district in British India, he was one of the leaders of Santhal rebellion, who mobilize ...

(1816–1856), Indian freedom fighter * Chitta Mahato, Indian politician from West Bengal * Dhananjay Mahato (1919–2014), Indian freedom fighter, social activist, and politician from Jharkhand *

Dulu Mahato Dulu Mahato (born 12 May 1975; ) is an Indian politician from Jharkhand, He was a three-time MLA and is now an MP. He won the 2024 Indian general election in Jharkhand and became an MP from Dhanbad Lok Sabha constituency. Early life and educ ...

, Indian politician from Jharkhand *

Indrajit Mahato Indrajit Mahato (born 1972) is an Indian politician from Jharkhand who is an MLA from Sindri Assembly constituency in Dhanbad district. He won the 2019 Jharkhand Legislative Assembly election, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party. Early life ...

, Indian politician from Jharkhand * Jairam Kumar Mahato, Indian politician from Jharkhand * Jagannath Mahto, Indian politician from Jharkhand *

Jagdish Mahto Jagdish Mahto was an Indian communist activist. He was a naxal leader who led the 1970 Bhojpur uprising in the landlord-dominated Bhojpur region of Bihar. He was a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist), an organisation wh ...

, communist activist and founder of

Naxalism Naxalism is the communist ideology of the Naxalites or Naxals, a grouping of political and insurgent groups from India. It is influenced by Maoist political sentiment and ideology. Inspired by Maoism, Charu Majumdar wrote the Historic Eigh ...

in Bihar *

Jaleshwar Mahato Jaleshwar Mahato is a politician from Jharkhand, India. He represented the Baghmara (Vidhan Sabha constituency) during the years 2000 to 2009. He represented the constituency as a Janata Dal (United) Janata Dal (United) ("People's Party ...

, Indian politician from Jharkhand * Julie Kumari Mahato, Nepalese politician, former minister * Jyotirmay Singh Mahato, Indian politician from West Bengal * Keshav Mahto Kamlesh, Indian politician from Jharkhand *

Khiru Mahto Khiru Mahto (born 1953) is an Indian politician who is currently serving as member of Rajya Sabha from Bihar since 2022. He was elected to the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly from Mandu (Vidhan Sabha constituency) from 2005 until 2009. He is a ...

(born 1953), Indian politician from Jharkhand * Kishor Mahato (born 2000), Nepalese fast bowler cricketer * Lambodar Mahto, Indian politician from Jharkhand * Laxmi Mahato Koiri, Nepalese politician *

Lok Nath Mahato Loknath Mahato was a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in the state of Jharkhand, India, elected from constituency Barkagaon which is in the Hazaribagh district of the state. He was first elected in 1995. Since then he has been re-elected thr ...

, Indian politician from Jharkhand * Mriganko Mahato, (born 1963) Indian politician from West Bengal *

Muga Lal Mahato Muga Lal Mahato () is a Nepalese politician, belonging to the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum. In April 2008, he won the Sunsari Sunsari District is one of 14 districts in Koshi province of eastern Nepal. The district is located in the eastern par ...

, Nepalese politician * Nagendra Mahto, Indian politician from Jharkhand * Narahari Mahato (born 1956), Indian politician from West Bengal * Nepal Mahato, Indian politician from West Bengal * Nirmal Mahto (1950–1987), Indian politician from Jharkhand *

Pradeep Mahto Pradeep Mahto alias Pradeep Kumar is a former Member of Legislative Assembly for the year 2005 and 2010 from the Warisaliganj (Vidhan Sabha constituency) of the Nawada region of Bihar. Mahto is a nephew and former associate of Ashok Mahto, the ...

, Indian politician from Bihar * Puja Mahato (born 2006), Nepalese all-rounder cricketer * Purnima Mahato, Indian archer and archery coach from Jharkhand * Rabindra Nath Mahato, India Politician from Jharkhand, Speaker of Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha * Raghunath Mahato, Indian freedom fighter (Chuar Rebellion) *

Raj Banshi Mahto Raj Banshi Mahto is an Indian politician. He is currently member of Bihar Assembly from Cheriya Bariyapur Vidhan Sabha. He was elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India from the Balia in Bihar as a member of the Ras ...

, Indian politician from Bihar * Raj Kishore Mahato, Indian politician from Jharkhand * Rajendra Mahato (born 1958), Former Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal *

Ramdeo Mahto Ramdeo Mahto was an Indian politician, who served as Member of Bihar Legislative Assembly in undivided Bihar. Mahto was elected as a candidate of Bhartiya Jana Sangh to Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1969 Assembly elections from Patna East Asse ...

, CPI(M) leader and six time MLA from Bihar *

Ramdev Mahato Ramdev Mahato is an Indian politician and a former member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly from the Madhubani Assembly constituency. He had been elected from the Madhubani constituency to the Bihar Legislative Assembly four times between 2000 ...

, former Member of Bihar Legislative Assembly * Ram I. Mahato, Professor, scientist and chairman of the Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, USA * Ram Lakhan Mahato (1947–2020), Indian politician from Bihar * Ram Padarnath Mahto, former minister in Government of Bihar *

Ram Prakash Mahto Ram Prakash Mahto is an Indian politician from the state of Bihar. He has represented the Katihar Assembly constituency, Katihar legislative assembly constituency in Bihar Vidhan Sabha. Mahto is a member of Rashtriya Janata Dal but he has also be ...

, politician from Bihar * Rambalak Mahto,(born 1924), Advocate General of the state of Bihar * Rameshwar Mahto, Indian politician from Bihar *

, one of the founder leaders of Bhartiya Jana Sangh, the parent organisation of Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar, former member of Bihar Legislative Assembly *

Sabita Mahato Sabita Mahato (born 1974) is an Indian politician from Jharkhand. She is a MLA from Ichagarh Assembly constituency in Seraikela district representing Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. She won the 2019 Jharkhand Legislative Assembly election. Early lif ...

, Indian politician from Jharkhand *

Sagina Mahato ''Sagina Mahato'' is a 1970 Bengali film produced by Shri J. K. Kapur and directed by Tapan Sinha. The film stars Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu, two acting giants of Indian cinema. The film is based on the true story of the labour movement of ...

, Indian social activist and leader of labour movement 1942–43 from West Bengal * Sahdeo Mahato, (Born 1922), Indian politician and independence activist from Bihar *

Santiram Mahato Santiram Mahato is an Indian politician and the present Minister for Self Help Group & Self-employment and P.U.P department of Government of West Bengal. He is also an MLA, elected from the Balarampur constituency in the 2011 West Bengal state ...

, Indian politician from West Bengal *

Satrudhan Mahato Satrughan Mahato is a Nepalese politician belonging to Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist), CPN (Unified Socialist). He is the incumbent minister of Madhesh Province government. He is member of Provincial Assembly of Madhesh Province. ...

, Nepalese politician *

Shatrughan Mahto Shatrughan Mahto (born 1971) is an Indian politician from Jharkhand. He is a member of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly from Baghmara Assembly constituency in Dhanbad district. He won the 2024 Jharkhand Legislative Assembly election, represen ...

, Indian politician from Jharkhand * Shailendra Mahato, Indian politician from Jharkhand * Shiva Mahto, three time Member of Bihar Legislative Assembly *

Sitaram Mahato Sitaram Mahato is a Nepalese Politician, former state minister and serving as the Member Of House Of Representatives (Nepal) elected from Sunsari-2, Province No. 1. He is member of the Nepali Congress The Nepali Congress ( ; Abbreviation, a ...

, Nepalese politician *

Sudesh Mahto Sudesh Mahto is an Indian politician from Jharkhand. He has served twice as the List of deputy chief ministers of Jharkhand, Deputy Chief Minister of Jharkhand. He has also held several key portfolios, including that of the Home Minister of Jhar ...

, Indian politician, former deputy chief minister of Jharkhand * Sudhir Mahato, Indian politician, former deputy chief minister of Jharkhand *

Suman Mahato Suman Mahato (born 4 December 1964) was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. A member of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) political party, she represented the constituency of Jamshedpur in the eastern state of Jharkhand. She became MP in ...

(born 1964), Indian politician from Jharkhand * Sunil Kumar Mahato (1966–2007), Indian politician from Jharkhand *

Sushanta Mahato Sushanta Mahato is an Indian politician. He is a member of All India Trinamool Congress. In May 2021, he was elected as MLA of West Bengal Legislative Assembly from Baghmundi Constituency An electoral (congressional, legislative, etc.) di ...

, member of West Bengal Legislative Assembly * Tek Lal Mahto, Indian politician from Jharkhand *

Tooni Mahto Tooni Mahto is a marine biologist, oceanographer and campaigner known for co-presenting the BBC series ''Oceans'' and ''Britain's Secret Seas''. Career Tooni Mahto graduated from Plymouth University and has worked in television as camera operat ...

, British marine biologist *

Yogeshwar Mahto Yogeshwar Mahto is an Indian politician from Jharkhand from the Bhartiya Janata Party. In 2014 he was elected as a member of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly from Bermo constituency. He lost in the 2019 Assembly elections to Rajendra Prasad Si ...

, Indian politician from Jharkhand

References

{{surname Surnames of Nepalese origin Surnames of Hindu origin Surnames of Indian origin