The Chutiyas also known as Chutia, Sutya, Swatya, Swatia, Sootia, Deora or Tiura. There is no any single definition about the term Chutia. Different. Scholars and Historian defines the term in different ways. According to a prominent scholar Rajmuhon Nath the original homeland of the Chutiyas was at the bank of Swati Lake, which is supposed to be situated in the northern part of Himalayas to the east part of Manash lake. In course of time they migrate to south by the bank of river Subansiri following its fertile valley which extend the North-Eastern Part of present Lakhimpur District and finally they settled there. The people of Kamrupa called themselves as Swatia, because they hail from the bank of Swati lake. R.M. Nath was the opined that the term 'Chutiya', 'Sutya' or iSotiyai have probably derives from its origin Swatia.` He has also jointed out another definition in respect of origin of the term `Chutiya' or 'Sutia'. According to him in ancient time, in there was a province called 'Sutan' situated in the North-Eastern part of present Bhutan. He has observed that the inhabitant of Bhutan is called Bhutia. Like way, the inhabitant of 'Sutan' May also called as 'Sootia' or 'Chutia'.2 It is one of the important definitions for origin of the term Chutiya.
Benudhar Sharma in his article "Chutiya Kristi" observe that the Chutiya lived on the bank of Swati Lake which is situated near the source of river Subansiri. The people who lived on the bank of Swati Lake, they like to identify themselves as 'Swatia'. He believe that the term `Chutiya' or 'Sootia' or Sutya' is probably derived from 'Swatia''.
According to Bishnu Prasad Rabhas the Halali state of Bodo Kachari was situated in the bank of Dibang and Dihong River. This state was established by the Sonovval clan of Bodo Origin. This Kachari clan has fourteenth family and the Sootial family of this Kachari clan seized the ruling power. According to him this Sootial family came to be known as 'Chutia' and one of their clan known as 'Debongia Deori' speak the Chutiya language of Bodo origin. Thus he has derived the meaning of the term 'Chutiya', Sootia' or 'Sutiya' corresponding to Bodo language. In Bodo or Deori Language 'Je' or 'De' or 'Ti' means water or River. 'Su' means holly. 'Su-T' means holly water or Holly river and hence themselves as 'Sutia' or 'Chutiya',
Dr. Praban Chandra Saikia defines the meaning of the term iChutia' or Sutiya' by referring to the Deori Language. In Deori Chutiya language 'Su' means 'good', 'high' or 'high quality', 'Ti' means the star of the sky. Thus, he obsirved that the good people or high quality people who came from the star land or the sky or top of the hills; are called 'Chutiya' or Sutiyai. Here the 'Ya' is added a syllable after the 'Su-Ti'.
According to Rajani Kumar Podmapati, the northern side of North-East region is the gate of soul and heaven. The Swati River and Swati state or Sadia is situated near this gate. The people who live in that state are called Chutiya. The hilly areas situated surrounding the temple of Taneswari was the homeland of the Chutiyas.
According to R.M, Nath, China wad known as 'Chao-Thieus'. The people of northern Burma generally caller China as 'Thieus' till date. The meaning of the term 'Chao-Thieus' is heavenly land or holy place. This 'Chao-thieus' was transformed to 'Chub-This' or 'Zuh-this' which is resembled to high land or highest place.?
Following this statement of R.M. Bath, Surya Kanta Khanikar, also opined that the people of Mongoloid origin who came from 'Chao-Thieus' or 'Chuh-This' were called `Chao-This' or '5u-Thia' at Somarpith (upper most part of Assam). It referred to the people of heavenly land or people of holy land. He observed that according to the language of Deori-Chutiya 'Su' means the top of the hill or high land, 'Ti' means river and 'Ya' means place.
In the light of the above observations made by various scholars in respect of the origin of the term Chutiya. A conclusion can be drawn that there was a branch of Mongoloid people of Bodo origin in the bank of Swati or Sati or Sooti lake near the source of Subansiri River. This is every likely hood that this people had been known as Swatia or Chutia on the basis of the fact that there origin place of habitation was the bank of Swati, Sati or Swat Lake. The legends prevalent among the Chutiyas also support these observation.