Singh Is King

Singh is derived from the Sanskrit word Simha meaning "lion". It is a common title, middle name, or surname in India during 7th century, basically in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, UP, Bihar regions, this word originally used exclusively by Hindu Rajputs, later adopted by other martial groups of India and finally the Sikhs, in 1699. In present times it has used various hindu/sikh groups and does not necessarily signify warrior status or ties. It is of interest to note that some Brahmins like Bhumihar Brahmins (see Kingdom of Kashi and Royal House of Benares) and Maithil Brahmins (see History of Mithila) also use this name Singh during 8th century. Strictly speaking Singh emerged as a hereditary title in Hindus to be used as one's middle/last name signifying connection to a warrior status or occupation. History Singh was first used as a surname by the Rajputs beginning in the 7th century. It has been common practice among the Rajput men to have Singh as their middle name.The Rajputs started using Singh in preference to the classical epithet of "Varman". The Sikhs adopted Singh as a surname in 1699. Apart from the Rajputs several other groups in India have also adopted Singh as either a middle name or a surname. Some others include the Yadavs (e.g. "Mulayam Singh Yadav"), Bhumiyar Brahmins, the Gujjars (e.g. "Nirbhay Singh Gujjar"), and the non-Sikh Jats (e.g. "Chaudhary Charan Singh and Maharaja Bhim Singh Rana"). The last name "Singh" is in fact used by a wider population from Jammu to Uttar Pradesh and from Kashmir down into Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharastra to Nepal as well as the far eastern states of Manipur, Assam, Tripura, Sikkim, and even Bhutan, spanning the entire subcontinent and even reaching Southeast Asia. It is also found in use among West Indians of Indian origin namely in places of Guyana, Trinidad, and Surinam, as well as people of Indian origin found in Mauritius and Fiji Island.