Nayak (title)

As a title

• The Nayaka title was given by Vijayanagara rulers to their feudal subject rulers, who later established independent Nayaka kingdoms after the downfall of the Vijayanagara Empire in South India.
• Nayaka title was conferred to the Hindu Sardars by rulers of Maratha Empire.

  As a surname

• In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Nayaka surname is adopted as surname by several tribal communities including, Bedar, Lambadis, Sugali, or Banjara.
• The Muslim Siddis of Karnataka, use the surname Nayaka which they received as title from Bijapur Kings.
• In Maharashtra the surname Nayak is used by Marathas, CKPs, Chitpavan Brahmins, and Deshastha Brahmin communities.
• In Tamil Nadu, members of the Vanniyar caste use Nayakkar, Naicker and Nayagar as a surname or title.
• In Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, other versions of the surnames such as Naidu and Naicker are used by people belonging to Bedar Valmiki, Kapu, Balija, Golla, Telaga, and Kamma castes.