Mishra

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Mishra or Misra is an Indian surname, normally associated with the Brahmin mostly it is similar to or Maitreya or Maitra or Maitri friend Mishra and written in devnagri script look almost identical and both have same meaning. It is one of the most widespread Brahmin surnames in the fertile gangetic plain region and in the Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Orissa. It is also found in countries such as Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago under the anglicized version of Misir, where many Mishras were taken to work on sugar plantations due to their agricultural prowess and skills in other fields. Stories say that even Britishers used to call Mishra my sir hence Misir and Mishra. The surname is also found in Fiji and Mauritius, as well as in other Indian diaspora communities. It is one of the most common surnames among the Brahmins in India.

"Mishra" or "Mishr" is originally generated from word Maharshi means great sage.

"Mishra" is a surname associated with Gautam Gotra(descent from one of the three great sage Gautam) Brahmin. "Mishra" surname is also used by descent from the great king Bhagiratha, the warrior saint Parashurama and also Vamana who covered his whole creation of universe with his bare feet in just two steps to save whole universe of lord VISHNU in form of small baby child Vamana an avatar of VISHNU, Mishras are very likeable and secular people being Hindus, they have historically been devout Hindus and staunch followers and defenders of the faith. They have historically been martial Brahmins as well, and due to there involvement in the uprising against the British in the First War of Indian Independence in 1857, when many of the ranks which followed Mangal Pandey in his rebellion were composed of Brahmins from the agricultural regions of Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Due to this they were not declared a martial race like Mohyals due to their ardent support for the Indian independence movement and rebellion against the British Raj. Historically, Mishras have always fulfilled their religious duties and had great knowledge of the Vedas and other holy texts. However presently the majority are engaged in more secular vocations.

Presently, the majority of Mishras inhabit the fertile agricultural regions of Bihar and Easter Uttar Pradesh, where they are engaged in agriculture, a practice in which they are highly skilled. However as rural depopulation increases, many are leaving the villages and many Mishras are highy skilled professionals and are working in other vocations, both in India and across the globe.

Other related surnames found in the same region include: