How common is the last name Patel in India?

Question

A lot of the Indian people at my school have that last name and they're not related.

[I hope this doesn't sound racist or anything, because I'm really not. I was just curious.]

Answer 1

It's like Smith and Jones combined to Americans.

Answer 2

Patel is more like a caste than Last name.

They hail from a State called Gujarat. Plenty there.  

Answer 3

For your reference see the below :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patel

Answer 4

the people who are tittled "patel", refers to a cast called "gujrati". and they are from the western indian state of "gujraat". and yes among the gujraatis, "patel" is most common.  

Answer 5

Patel is an Indian title, in tune with the Hindu caste system, that represents some of the castes that are predominant in the Indian state of Gujarat that are either agriculturalists or land owners.

The surname Patel is the second most common in India, following Singh. The Patel surname is found primarily in the Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh[citation needed]and Uttar Pradesh.