Odeyar/Wodeyar is a surname in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The word oDeyar is more popularly associated with the Royal Family of Mysore better spelled among English speaking as Wodeyers. 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 Chieftains. Wodeyars of Mysore claim to hail from the Yadava clan of Chandravanshi ( also known as Lunar Dynasty) Kshatriyas belonging to Lunar Race originally belonging Dwaraka like Lord Sri Krishna. Channaiah Odeyar was prominent Kuruba leader. prof. S.S. Wodeyar was a former Vice Chancellor of Karnatak University was leading scholar of Lingayat community.
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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.
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.
The erstwhile royalty is listed in Wodeyars There are people who use the modern transliteration in their surname