Newar are the people native to Kathmandu valley. Their native language is "Nepal Bhasha" aka "Newari". However being the national language of Nepal "Nepali Language" is also spoken by almost all Newar people sometime as a second language and sometime even as the first language. Most of Newar people believe in Hinduism and according to Hindu systems they are categorized into different caste and clans.
Newar population in Nepal is almost 1.3 million which accounts almost 5.5% of total population of Nepal. But despite of having small population, Newar people have great impact in Nepali society.
Newar population in Nepal is almost 1.3 million which accounts almost 5.5% of total population of Nepal. But despite of having small population, Newar people have great impact in Nepali society.
Newar Vs Maithili/Madheshi
In 1097 AD King Nanya Dev of Karnat dynasty established his kingdom in Mithila region (Tirahut). The center of the kingdom was Simraungadh (सिम्रौनगढ) which is now located in Bara district, South Central Nepal. 1324 AD. When the last king Harisingh Dev was defeated by Delhi Sultan Gayasudin Tuglak (ग़ियास सुद्दीन तुग़लुक़), he escaped from Simraungarh to Kathmandu valley with the statue of Taleju Bhawani. Temples of Taleju Bhawani in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts are believed to be linked with Mithila Kingdom. Many maithili brahmins also migrated to Kathmandu valley during that period and afterwards. During centuries of their residence in Kathmandu they mixed up with the native people of the valley. Today newar brahmin caste Jha, Mishra and Bhatta are believed to be originated from Maithila.
List of Newar caste and surnames:-
| Caste | Traditional occupation | surnames |
| Deo Brahman | Hindu priests | Rajopadhyaya |
| Maithil Brahmin | Hindu priests | Jha, Mishra, Bhatta |
| Shrestha (Chhathariya) | Royal family, nobles and courtiers | Joshi, Malla, Pradhananga, Pradhan, Rajbhandari, Amatya, Vaidya, Maskey, Kayastha, Rajvanshi, Patrabansh, Mathema, Lakhey,Hada, Karmacharya, Guruvacharya |
| Shrestha (Panchthariya) | Administrators, traders and merchants | Shrestha, Mulmi, Madhikarmi (Halwai), Bhaju, Kakchapati, Nyachhyon, Nagarkoti, Sivacharya, Mulmi, Madhikarmi (Halwai), Bhaju, Kakchapati, Nyachhyon, Nagarkoti, Sivacharya, etc. |
| Gubhaju | Buddhist priests | Vajracharya, and Bare - Shakya, Bhikshu, Gurju |
| Uray, Udaas | Traders and merchants, Craftsmen | Tuladhar, Bania, Sikarmi (Sthapit), Awa, Tamrakar, Kansakar, Sikhrakar, Sindurakar, Rajkarnikar, Halwai, SIlakar |
| Jyapu | Farmers | Maharjan, Dangol, Singh, Suwal, Desar, Rajbahak, Kumhal, Prajapati, Kumah, Awale, Awal, Shilpakar, Ka:mi, Pahari |
| Sayami | Oilpressers | Manandhar, Sayami |
| Khusa | Palanquin bearers | Tandukar |
| Nau | Barbers | Napit |
| Kau | Blacksmiths | Naka:mi |
| Bha | Funeral duties | Karanjit, Bha |
| Gathu | Gardeners | Bammala, Mali, Malakar |
| Tepe | Cultivators | Byanjankara, Tepe |
| Pun | Painters | Chitrakar |
| Duhim | Carriers | Putwar, Dali |
| Balami | Fieldworkers | Balami |
| Pulu | Funeral torch bearers | Pulu |
| Cipa | Dyers | Ranjitkar, Ranjit |
| Jugi | Musicians and tailors | Darshandhari, Kusle, Kapali |
| Naye | Butchers and musicians | Khadgi, Shahi |
| Kulu | Drum-makers and cobblers | Kulu |
| Pode | Fishermen, sweepers | Pode, Deola, Pujari, Nepali |
| Chami | Sweepers | Chyame, Chamkhalak |
| Halahulu | Sweepers | Halahulu |
List of Some popular gotra and Nepali surnames belonging to it:-
Agasti : Dhungel
Angira: Joshi, Sedai, Saunak, Shahi
Atri : Adhikari, Arjel/Arjyal, Chapagai, Gotame, Khatiwoda, Mishra, Ojha, Wosti
Atrya : Aryal, Devkota, Dawadi, Dulal, Kalikote (Khadka), Paudel, Pokharel (Pani), Rosyara, Sharma, Sigdel, Thapa (Bagale)
Bharadwaaj : Adhikari, Chaulagai, Devkota, Jamarkattel, Lohani, Niraula, Panthi, Pandey, Panta, Pokharel (Dudh), Siwakoti, Subedi, Thapaliya, Upadhaya, Wagle
Dhananjaya : Basel/ Batsayal, Basnet, Bhusal, Budhathoki (Khulal), Dhamala, Gauripitri/ Gairipippli, Guragai, Humagai, Karki (Khulal), Khadka (Khulal), Kukurkote, Kunwar, Pangeni, Rijal, Thapa
Garg : Bastola, Bhurtel, Chudal, Gajurel, Thapa (Lamichhane), Rokaha, Rishal
Gautam : Chanda, Tripathi
Ghrita Kaushik : Baral, Karki (Sutar), Khanal, Nepal, Pandit
Kashyap : Adhikari (Bhadare, Khilchine and Kaubali), Badaal, Bogati, Budhathoki (Sodari), Gadtaula, Gartaula, Ghimire, Kathayat, Pade, Rayamajhi, Shah, Sahi, Thapa (Godar)
Kaudinya : Achraya, Baskota, Joshi, Khadka, Kharel, Marashini, Neupane, Pakurel, Paneru, Parajuli, Sapkota, Satyal, Thapa (Bagale and Gamle), Trital
Kausik : Baniya, Bastakoti, Bhandari, Bidari, Dhital, Dhungana, Gaudel, Khadka, Khapatari (Khadka, Bistha, Budhathoki and Basnet), Lamichhane/Lamichaney, Luitel, Majhi, Phuyal, Pudasaini, Raghubansi, Regmi, Rimal, Sanjel, Tiwari
Mandabya : Bajagai, Bajhai, Gyawali, Maskey, Panthi
Maudagalya : Belkadhi, Karki (Mudula), Koirala, Kuinkel, Rume, Simkhada, Timsina/ Timilsina, Upreti
Parasar : Karki (Lama) , Kattel, Marhattha
Shandilya : Kafle/ Kaphle, Prasai
Upamanyu : Bartaula, Bhatta (Duwal), Dhakal, Mainali, Pandey
Viswamitra : Bhatta (Alina, Duwadi, Nirbansi, Rai and Rayal)
Vascha : Dahal, Kuwar, Lamsal, Rana, Rupakheti
Vashista : Bhandari, Bhattarai, Chalise, Dwadi, Gaire, Kharel, Mudabhari, Raut, Suyal (Garthi), Suyal (Thapa), Thangsine
