The Maher (also spelled Mer, Mihir, Mair, or Mehr) community is a prominent group from the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India, with deep historical and cultural roots in the area. The Maher community consists of various clans and is known for its valor and traditions. There are 14 main Maher surnames, along with numerous sub-surnames, each carrying its own lineage, history, and associated family deities.
Major Maher Surnames
The 14 principal Maher surnames are:
- Vagh (Chudasama)
- Keshwala
- Sisodia
- Rajsakha (sometimes Jethwa)
- Odedra
- Jadeja
- Solanki
- Parmar
- Vadher (Rathod)
- Vada
- Chavda
- Chauhan
- Vadar
- Pathiar (Parihar)
Common Sub-surnames and Bhaiyats
Each main surname features a set of sub-surnames or Bhaiyat (brotherhood lineage), reflecting a more detailed family structure.
14 Main Maher Surnames and Their Sub-surnames
| Main Surname | Sub-surnames (Bhaiyat) |
|---|---|
| Keshwala | Antrolia, Bheynia, Ratadia, Butta, Erda, Bagordara |
| Sisodia | Modhwadia, Kuchhadia, Khistriya, Godhania, Ranavaya, Hadadiya, Pashtariya |
| Rajsakha/Jethwa | Karavadra, Khunti, Tilak, Gorania, Chundavadra, Jethwa, Surya, Jog, Modedra, Selot, Selar, Pariya (Bhosiya), Bokhiria |
| Odedra | Visana, Ji (Odedra), Okhai, Tukadiya |
| Jadeja | Kadchha, Ratiya, Tarkhala, Kadegiya, Pipraniya, Mekhadiya, Kulranmiya |
| Vagh (Chudasama) | Bhalejia, Gorejiya |
| Parmar | Mahiyaria, Chatraviya, Liboriya, Kahaliya, Kotadiya, Jilaniya, Mosa, Mandera, Pata, Gorsera, Badeja, Chandela |
| Vadher/Rathod | Sharma, Sutreja, Sindhal, Padodariya, Chandesha, Dasa, Pandavadariya, Chanrodariya, Mahikya |
| Vada | Muliyashiya, Khimdaniya, Bapodra (Mashani), Amar, Agath, Mihikiya, Timmasiya, Bhetakiya |
| Chavda | Navadiya, Kothvada, Kothadiya, Padorodiya, Kodvara |
| Chauhan | Gareja |
| Vadar | Nandaniya, Nakura, Badhsa, Hilla, Jasiya, Bamaniya |
| Pathiar/Parihar | Thapaliya |
| Bhati | Bhutiya |