Rao (Indian surname)

The word "Rao" derived from "Rai" which mean king or superior one. Rao is a title generally refers to Kshatriyas and now a few people use the word Rao along with the name to get the pride

It is not certain that Rao is used for specific castes. People of different caste of different provinces use Rao with their name. Rao is a title and a surname native to India. It is used mostly in states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Telangana. Even in China, there is surname called Rao

Other variations of Rai are Roy and Rao. These are also used as titles by Kolis, Bhumihars and Yadavs. Rai was the title used by the Zamindars (landowners) of Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar during the colonial rule after the Permanent settlement system introduced in Bengal-Bihar and the state of Benaras.