Soun/Saun/ Saud/Sawad/Samant/Saund were the feudal kings of the Doti region, which was formed after the disintegration of Katyuri kingdom of Uttarakhand and far western region of Nepal during the 13th century.
The Saud title was given by the Raika king. During the reign of Raika king, Saud were ranked after king. it is known as the warrior kshatriya caste found widely in Garhwal, Kumaon and Far-western region of Nepal. Some Sawad/Saud were migrated to Kalikot, Kailali and Kanchanpur district from Doti, Achham, Bajura, Bajhang, Dadeldhura, Darchula and Baitadi District of Nepal.
They use twenty surnames according to place: