Chaudhuri

Chaudhuri is a Bengali surname that originated as an honorific title used for village chiefs and revenue holders in parts of the Indian subcontinent. The title, often rendered as Chowdhury or Chaudhuri, derives from Persian and South Asian administrative terms and is commonly interpreted as meaning "holder of four" or "chief." In many areas, the title became hereditary and passed down as a family surname.

The surname is most common among Bengali-speaking populations in West Bengal (India) and Bangladesh and is also found in Assam, Bihar, and other regions with Bengali communities. It is used by both Hindu and Muslim families, though spellings vary by community and country. The leading romanizations include Chaudhuri, Chowdhury, and Chaudhury.

Variants reflect local pronunciation and transliteration practices, with related names such as Chaudhary, Choudhury, and Chowdhury used in different regions. While historically linked to landholding or administrative roles, today Chaudhuri is a general surname not tied to a specific occupation or caste in most contexts.