Thapa

Thapa is a Nepali surname used by members of the Khas and Chhetri communities. It is one of the prominent lineages in the historical social and military hierarchy of the Gorkha Kingdom and later Nepal. The surname is most common in Nepal, especially in the hill regions, and among Nepali diaspora communities in India and abroad. The etymology of Thapa is not definitively established; it is widely recognized as a family name associated with a particular lineage rather than a title.

Historically, the Thapa family emerged as a powerful political and military faction in late 18th- and early 19th-century Nepal. Notable figures include Bhimsen Thapa (1775–1839), who served as Mukhtiyar, or prime minister, and dominated Nepalese statecraft for several decades; Amar Singh Thapa (c. 1757–1816), a senior general who commanded Nepali forces in regional campaigns and during the Anglo-Nepalese War; and Mathabar Singh Thapa (1787–1839), a Kaji and military leader who played a significant role at court and in governance. The Thapa faction helped shape Nepal’s expansion during this period, and its influence waned amid court rivalries and shifts in power.

In modern times, Thapa remains a common surname in Nepal and among the Nepali diaspora. Individuals with the surname pursue diverse occupations, including politics, sports, business, and the arts. Variations in spelling exist, and the name is found across Nepal, India, and communities abroad.