Pathak

Pathak is a surname of Indian origin widely used among Hindu communities, particularly the Kayastha caste in North India and among Brahmins in parts of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Nepal. The name derives from the Sanskrit paṭhaka, meaning "scribe," "reciter," or "scholar," a term historically associated with scribes and clerks in royal and civil service. As an occupational surname, Pathak denotes literacy and administrative work, and it spread through regions with the growth of education and administration.

Spelling variations occur due to transliteration from Sanskrit and regional languages; Pathak is the standard form, while Patak may be seen in some records.

Today, Pathak is found across India and among the Indian diaspora worldwide, across diverse communities beyond its traditional Kayastha association. It is one of several surnames in India linked to historical occupations that persist as family names rather than indicative of current profession.

Notable people with the surname Pathak have contributed in fields such as academia, science, arts, and public life, reflecting the name's broad contemporary distribution.