Gadhavi is an honorific title of the Charans of Gujarat.[1] In earlier times, as some Charans were owners or governors of forts, i.e. Gadh, they came to be known as Gadhavi.[2][3] It is synonymous with Charan and is used as a surname.[4] It is also spelled as Gadhvi or Gadvi.[5]
The word Gadhavi has been derived from semi-Prakrit and semi-Sanskrit words Gadha (fort) and Pati (master), i.e. keeper of a fort. Masters of fort were called Gadhapati which changed to Gadhavi through the Prakrit Gadha-vai.[6]