Vakil (surname)

Vakil is a surname found primarily in India and Pakistan. It derives from the Persian and Arabic word "wakil" (وكيل), meaning "advocate," "representative," or "agent." The term historically denoted someone who acted on behalf of another in legal or administrative matters.

The surname Vakil is most commonly associated with individuals and families of Parsi (Zoroastrian) origin in India. It is also found among Muslim communities in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in regions that were historically under Persian cultural influence.

The distribution and prevalence of the surname reflect patterns of migration, profession, and historical administrative roles. It signifies an ancestral connection to the legal profession or to positions of representation and agency within communities.