Shresthas

The Srēṣṭa or Shrēṣṭha (Nepali:श्रेष्ठ) or (Newar:स्यस्य: Śeśyah or Séshyō) caste is the second largest Newar caste (after Maharjans), occupying around 25% of overall Newar population, or about 1.2% of Nepal’s total population. It is believed that the word Srēṣṭha is derived from the Newar word Śeśyah, which itself is derivation of a Sanskrit word Sista meaning 'noble', although literal meaning of the word also translated to 'best or important.' "Shrestha" itself was later adopted as the specific family surname by members of this high-caste Hindu group, although there are over 50 other recognized surnames of Srēṣṭhas.