Mitra (Bengali: মিত্র), also called Mittra or Mitro is a Bengali Hindu surname found mostly amongst Bengali Kayastha community in the Bengal region of Indian subcontinent. This surname also has prevalence in Iran and is a popular Persian last name found in America.[1] The surname may have been derived either from the Sanskrit word mitra meaning friend or ally[2] or from the name of an important Indo-Iranian deity in the Vedas and in ancient Iran.[3]
Mitras belong to Kayastha caste in Bengal. Bengali Kayasthas evolved as a caste from a category of officials or scribes, between the 5th/6th century CE and 11th/12th century CE, its component elements being putative Kshatriyas and mostly Brahmins.[4] Mitras are considered as Kulin Kayasthas of Vishvamitra gotra, along with Bose, Guha and Ghosh.[5]