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The word Koul, meaning well born, is derived from Kula, the Sanskrit term for family or clan.
There are several theories regarding the origins of Kaul as a surname.
Koul from Mahakoul
One says that it is associated with the word Mahakaul (Sanskrit: महाकौळ, romanized:mahākauḷa), an epithet for Shiva. Shiva followers were thus called Kauḷa.[4] Koul therefore means a devotee of Shiva.[5]
Koul/Kaul from Shakta worship
Another states that since the Saraswat Brahmins of Kashmira were believers in Shaivism and Shakta, the peak of Shaivism in Kashmir around the 9th–12th century gave rise to use of the name.[6] This has led many scholars to believe that almost all Kashmiri Pandits were Kauls/Kouls and they were later subdivided into different nicknames, then with the passage of time these nicknames became surnames. In recent years the use of the nicknames is being progressively discarded and the surname Kaul/Koul is being adopted by almost all such people. The word Kaul/Koul is associated with being an Aghoreshwar (Sanskrit: अघोरेश्वर, romanized:aghōrēśvara, lit.'enlightened'). The Sādhakas (Sanskrit: साधक, romanized:sādhaka, lit.'practitioners') of the Tantra, associated with Shakti worship, are believed to reach the top of the spiritual ladder, and thus become a Kaul/Koul.[6][7]
Portrait of Radha Krishan Kaul, an astrologer of the Sikh Empire. Pahari-Sikh; attributed to Chhaju Ram, from the family of Nainsukh of Guler, ca.1840
Robert H. Kaul (1911–2000), Associate Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court
Sheila Kaul (1915–2015), Indian politician, cabinet minister
Siddarth Kaul (born 1990), Indian cricketer, medium pace bowler
S. K. Kaul (born 1934), Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Chief of Air Staff (India) (1993–1995)
Sanjay Kaul (born 1962), Indian businessman and founder of the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies* Sanjay Kishan Kaul (born 1958), Judge, Supreme Court of India and former lawyer
Triloki Nath Kaul (1913–2000), Indian diplomat, Indian Foreign Secretary (1967–1972)
V. N. Kaul (born 1943), Indian civil servant, Comptroller and Auditor General (2002–2008)
Schofield, Victoria (2003). Kashmir in conflict. I.B. Tauris & Co. p.4. ISBN1860648983. Retrieved 25 June 2012., ...looms rose to 24,000 by 1813. Despite the religious oppression that many hindus were subjected , they were however, useful to the Afghans because of their administrative experience. Kashmiri Pandits were not prevented into entering into government service & there were some families whose names consistently appear in public service - the Dhars, Kauls, Tikkus & Saprus.
Koal, Ram Krishen (1982). Sociology of Names and Nicknames of India, with special reference to Kas'mira. New Delhi: Utpal Publications. p.161.
This page lists people with the surnameKaul. If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.
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