Readers' Forum
Parsi surnames
Parsi surnames in India are by and large based on place of residence as in Colabawalla, Parelwalla, Bandrawalla; towns of origin as in Dahnugara, Damania, Udwadia; professions as in Doctor, Engineer, Vakil; or trades as in Bhajiwalla, Kelawalla, Kandawalla.
However, the following surnames do not fall into any of the above-mentioned categories: Albless, Ashburner, Austin, Bamboat, Baxter, Birdy, Boyce, Cama, Cooper, Crawford, Dallas, Dick, D’Vitre, Forbes, Frazer, Frenchman, Gardin, Green, Harvar, Italia, Lam, Lentin, Lord, Moghul, Morris, Marshall, Noble, Petit, Polson, Rogers, Tata or Volkart. Will members of these families enlighten our community, via Parsiana, as to how and why their ancestors happened to adopt these surnames?
FARAMARZ B. SETHNA
Gandhidham, Gujarat
As a fourth generation South African-Indian, I have always been interested in knowing the root of my surname, Garda. I have heard that there are variations like Gharda in Gujarat. Most intriguingly, I’ve heard that Garda or Gharda is originally a Parsi name. However, my family is historically Muslim.
Can anyone help me?
IMRAN GARDA
garda@gmail.com
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