Lal

For other uses, see Lal (disambiguation).

Lal or Lala is an Indo-Iranian word that is used as a surname or honorific title, predominantly used in Chitral but also used in India and other South-Asian countries, or as "title name", meaning "sardar" or "tribe chief". It is mainly used by Kayastha community, given by the Mughals for the administrators and learned Persons of that period. It is also used for addressing vizers and grand vizers. Lala and lal is also used for addressing sahukars and bania of Vaishya community.

Lala Mustafa Pasha,Lalyane Shali belong to the Quzal Baig caste. The most influential personalities with the Lal title in Chitral are, namely, Mahabat Khan Lala, Munfat Khan Lal, Lala Muhammad Khan lal (Qazi), Daniyal Baig Lal, Mir Lala, Mouzan khan Lal, Haji miran Lala and Haji Muhammad Sadbar khan Lal. The word Lal is the surname of Lalyany Shali.

Etymology

Lal (Persian: لعل‎‎, Hindi: लाल, Urdu: لال‎, Pashto: Lāl‎ ) is derived from the Indo-Iranian word meaning 'Red'. It is a middle name used by many Indo-Aryan clans. Lal is also used as a final element of a compound personal name, such as Amir lal (Amir being the first name), Dost Lal (dost meaning "friend"), Rani Lal (rani meaning "queen") and Padshah Lal Qamar.

Commonly used as the color "red" in the Hindi language, "Lal" is also a last name among Hindus. Lal or Lalyan in some parts of India probably is used as Lalyan.Lal means "garnet" or "ruby" in Persian, "ruby" in Pashto, and "red" in Hindustani and Yan refers to "Gracious".

History

There is an homonymous word of Lal in Hindi, from Persian meaning ‘Ruby’, ‘Red’, which may have increased the popularity of this name. It occurs more commonly as the final element of a compound personal name. Lal is used as a middle name by many communities. It is used as a Surname and middle name by Kayastha.