The most common type of subcaste is the local, named after the tract of country in which the members reside or whence they are supposed to have come.

Thus the name Kanaujia from the town of Kanauj on the Ganges, famous in ancient Indian history, is borne by subcastes of many castes which have immigrated from northern India.

Jaiswar, from the old town of Jais in the Rai Bareli District, is almost equally common.

Pardeshi or foreign, and Purabia or eastern, are also subcaste names for groups coming from northern India or Oudh.

Mahobia is a common name derived from the town of Mahoba in Central India, as are Bundeli from Bundelkhand, Narwaria from Narwar and Marwari from Marwar in Rajputana.