The word patidar is used as Pattidar in Hindi, Which came to be known as Pattidar. Patti means pati. The word Panti is also very famous in Gujarat. Pati means a small piece of land and dar means owner.

The word Patidar in Gujarati is derived from Pattidar which means landlord. It shows that the word patidar is been derived from business and the word Patel is been derived from a designation.

With time the word patidar was shortened to be called Patel. There are two evident reasons for this abbriviation : first the word patidar is bit long and secondly the word patel stands for dignity and bravery.

Later may be the reason why the whole patidar community would have adopted the surname and called themselves Patel.