Adhikari

Adhikari (Devanāgarī: अधिकारी, Sinhala: අදිකාරී, Bengali: অধিকারী) (also spelled Adhikary ) is a surname originating in the Indian subcontinent. Those having their surname as Adhikari are mainly found in Nepal and Indian states of Uttarakhand , West Bengal and also in fewer parts of Southern Bihar such as Bhagalpur, Purnea etc as these areas have a greater influence of Bengali culture and many Bengalis have settled in these areas. Among Bengali Brahmins Adhikary is one of the common surnames. Brahmin having their surname as Adhikary belongs to Kanyakubja Brahmins. Some Chaitanya panthi groups called "Bairagi" who give priestly services to some lower castes assume this surname. But in Nepal, Adhikari are of both Brahmin and Chhetri Clan. The surname is also found among several groups including Bengalis, Biharis, Sinhalese, Marathis, Odias, Nepalese and Kumaonis. Adhikari is literally translated as Officer.