Pal, alternatively spelt Paul, is a common surname found in India and Bangladesh.
It is traditionally believed that 'Pal' originated from the Sanskrit pala meaning protector, keeper, guard or herdsman.
[3][4] Historian Tej Ram Sharma mentions that the surname is "now confined to Kayasthas of Bengal" while referring to the names of Brahmins ending in such Kayastha surnames in the early inscriptions dating back to the Gupta period.
[3] Pal is very frequently used as a surname by the Bengali Hindu potters (Kumbhakars),[5][6] and other castes like Teli,[6] Tili, Malakar (garland makers), Shankhari (conch shell sellers), Barujibi, Subarnabanik and Sadgop.
[7][8] The saint Gwalipa told Suraj Sen, the ruler of Gwalior, to adopt the surname Pal, which remains prevalent up to eighty-three descendants of Suraj Sen.[9] The Ahirs in Central India use Pal as a surname.