Vajpayee or Bajpai is a North Indian Brahmin surname, common, among other places, especially in Lucknow. Brahmins,are further sub categorised as Kanyakubjas, a group that also includes Awasthi, Dixits, Tewari, Tripathi, Agnihotri etc. As per legend, Bengali Brahmins, for instance Chatterjees owe their roots to the Kanyakubja region as well, and thus, are at times classified with them. The surname Bajpai is widely deemed synonymous to Vajpayee.^{[citation needed]}

Bajpais were the only entitled performers of vajpeya yagya.^{[clarification needed]}. The Yajna has specific vedic importance where Vajpeya Yajnas have been executed for righteous/religious purposes. The yajna was performed at high level and large scale.Vajpeya Yajna includes Ashwamedha, Rajsuya and Gayatri Yajnas. Within this the aim has been to bring in unity in the thinking and efforts made for contemporary goals, by bringing in political leaders and religious leaders on one single platform.Vajapeya is regarded as particularly important. When its yajamana (sacrificer) comes after having had his ritual bath (avabhrtha snana) at the conclusion of the sacrifice, the king himself holds up a white umbrella for him. Indian history study reveals that Sawai jai sing performed at least two yajnas mentioned in vedic lierature namely vajpeya and ashwamedha. According to Ishwarvilas mahakavya Jai singh first performed the Vajpeya yajna and obtained the title of Samrat "emperor" by performing vajpeya.In modern India vajpayees have gained significant respect in education, literature, diplomacy, politics, acting etc.