Odeyar/Wodeyar is a surname in Karnataka

Karnataka

Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...

 and Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...

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The word oDeyar is more popularly associated with the Royal Family of Mysore better spelled among English speaking as Wodeyers

Wodeyar

The Wodeyar dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947, until the independence of India from British rule and the subsequent unification of the Indian dominion and princely states into the Republic of India.The spelling Wodeyar/Wadiyar is found in most...

. However, it would be wrong to assume that this word is popular and typical to communities descended from or related to the Wodeyars of Mysore. Chola-Chalukyas used titles 'Udayar' or 'Odeyar' for chieftains at certain periods of time which included Boya

Boya

Boya may refer to:*Boya, Western Australia, locality on the Darling Scarp, in the Shire of Mundaring, Western Australia*Boya, Nepal*Boya people, an ethnic group in Sudan*Boyar caste, Boyar caste of India*Casati Boya, paint manufacturer in Turkey...

 Chieftains. Wodeyars of Mysore claim to hail from the Yadava clan of Chandravanshi ( also known as Lunar Dynasty

Lunar Dynasty

In Hindu mythology, the Lunar Dynasty is one of the three principal houses of the Kshatriya varna, or warrior–ruling caste...

) Kshatriyas belonging to Lunar Race originally belonging Dwaraka like Lord Sri Krishna. Channaiah Odeyar

Channaiah Odeyar

Channaiah Odeyar was a former Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Davangere in Karnataka, India.-External links:* from the 10th Lok Sabha*...

 was prominent Kuruba

Kuruba

Kuruba / Kuruba Gowda or Kuruma is a caste of Hindus who mainly were shepherds in the past. The community is present in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. They are known as Dhangars in Maharashtra, Kurumba / Kurumans / Kurumbar in Tamil Nadu, Kuruba Gowda or Halumatha Gowda in...

 leader. prof. S.S. Wodeyar was a former Vice Chancellor of Karnatak University

Karnatak University

The Karnatak University established initially at Mumbai in 1949, the location was shifted to Dharwad in October, 1949 and Karnatak University had its official inauguration in March 1950. The campus spans 750 acres . Dr. D. C. Pavate was the vice-chancellor of the university from 1954 to 1967...

 was leading scholar of Lingayat community.

Description

The English spelling Wodeyar/Wodiyar is found in most historical records and is used by the royal family members themselves. This spelling preceded modern transliteration rules. The surname is pronounced to start with a vowel sound and not with the consonant as present in the English spelling.

Origin

One version says that the name was a titular designation of the King or the owner that the Yaduraya adopted after starting the kingdom.
In another version, the name was adopted by Yaduraya after a priest of a temple that Yaduraya visited before starting a kingdom.

Actually Udayars is part of Barkavakula community, a Chola community, a tamil speaking people found in Bangalore ,sri lanka,singapore,vietnam..
Udayar means a person has everything in tamil.

Prominent people with the name surname Odeyar

The erstwhile royalty is listed in Wodeyar

Wodeyar

The Wodeyar dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947, until the independence of India from British rule and the subsequent unification of the Indian dominion and princely states into the Republic of India.The spelling Wodeyar/Wadiyar is found in most...

s
There are people who use the modern transliteration in their surname