Chughtai or Chagatai (Urdu, ; ,) is a family name that originated in the Chagatai Khanate as taken up by the descendants and successors of Chagatai Khan who was the second son of Mongol Emperor Genghis Khan. Accordingly, some of the other descendants of the successors of Chagatai Khan in South and Central Asia use variants such as Mirza, Baig and Khan.

Etymology of Chughtai

The surname “Chughtai” originates from the Mongolian word “Chaghadai”, a derivative of “Chagan” meaning “white”. The suffix “-dai” is added to form “Chaghadai”. Over time, “Chaghadai” evolved into “Chughtai”, meaning, “he who is white”.

Origins

The Bhati Rajputs claim to be the ancestors of the Chughtai Mughals through an ancestor named Chakito who became the king of Balich and Bokhara, It has been reported by James Tod as well as Nainsi ri Khyat.

People with the surname