The ethnonym Khoshud is believed to have derived from the word khoshun 'tip of a weapon, beak, front part' and is related to the function of the vanguard units in the army of Chingis Khan. Today the Khoshud is the least populous among the four sub-ethnic groups in Kalmykia. They live in compact groups in the villages of Sarpa, Shorv, Altn Bulg, Shorvin Kets, Khosheudy, Altsyn-Khuta, and Kivz. A small number also lives in the village of Zunda-Tolga. The Khoshud consists of the following clans and lineages: Argud, Badgud, Dashakhin, Zaisang, Ketkermud, Kavshakhin, Karvdzhakhin, Luzung, Mongol, Merchikhin, Melshakhin, Maaga, Sagsag, Savgarmud, Khasgud, Khoshut, Kharakhin, Chonakhin, Sharad, Sharkakhin, Evyakin and Dermyakin.