Dhillon

Dhillon is a Punjabi surname commonly associated with the Dhillon clan, a Jat lineage found in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. In Punjabi communities, clan names like Dhillon are used to indicate ancestral lineage and are often carried as surnames across generations. The Dhillon clan is traditionally linked to agrarian and rural social networks, though modern bearers span a range of occupations and professions.

Origins and social context

The Dhillon name is rooted in the broader Jat social group, a historically agrarian community in the northwestern subcontinent. As with many Punjabi surnames, Dhillon denotes clan affiliation rather than a fixed caste identity, and individuals with the surname may belong to different religious communities, including Sikhs and Hindus. The use of clans in naming reflects patterns of lineage, marriages, and community ties that have shaped Punjabi society for centuries.

Geographic distribution

Today, Dhillon is most common in the Indian state of Punjab and among Punjabi-speaking populations in neighboring regions such as Haryana and Delhi. In Pakistan, the surname appears in the Punjab province and among Punjabi communities abroad. The Dhillon surname is also established in diaspora communities around the world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, where migration and settlement have broadened its geographic presence.

Variants and identity

Spelling and transliteration vary, with common forms including Dhillon and, in some contexts, Dillon. As a surname rooted in clan identity, Dhillon can appear among Sikhs and Hindus alike, reflecting the shared regional heritage rather than a single religious affiliation.