Doshi surname meaning

“Doshi” is an Indian surname, mainly found in Gujarati trading communities, including many Jains (especially Oswal / Gujarati Jains), but it is not only a Jain surname.

Two main traditional explanations of its meaning:

1. Occupational meaning (most accepted):

- From Gujarati usage based on Persian dush = “shoulder”. - A doshi was a cloth seller or hawker who carried his goods on his shoulder. - So “Doshi” basically means “one who carries cloth (or goods) on the shoulder to sell” – a travelling cloth/goods trader.

1. Community / historical link (Oswal Jains):

- Some Oswal Jain histories say Doshis are descended from a Rajput (Sonigara) lineage that later became Jain traders. - Because of this, in many regions people hear “Doshi” and immediately think of a Jain business family, though there are non‑Jain Doshis too.

So in simple words: Doshi = an old trader/cloth‑seller surname, very common among Gujarati business families, including many Jains, but not exclusively Jain.