Pokharel

"Pokharel" (also spelled Pokhrel) is a fairly common surname (family name) in Nepal. It is believed to be derived from the word "pokhari" which means lake. The name essentially means lake dweller.

Some historians say that some Pokharels were chased by Muslim kings in Gujrat (India) and they were forced to come to Nepal. From there they came to the northern part of Nepal somewhere near the Himalayas, and ruled a small province.

There are two types of Pokharel in Nepal. "PANI=Water" Pokharel and "Dudh=Milk" Pokharel.

In Deharadun, India also people report that there are Pokharel, but they write "Pokhariyal", and it might be variant of Pokharel, just the way Indians write Poudiyal, but Nepalis write Poudel.