received as a title from the kings of Bijapur. In Karnataka it is used by some subcastes of the Vokkaliga, Namadhari Naik communities. It is also a common surname amidst a section of Makkalasantana following a sect of parivara Bunt (community) and the Nayak/Bedar community. In Maharashtra the surname Nayak and Naik is used by Kshatriya Marathas, CKPs, Saraswat Brahmin and Deshastha Brahmin communities. In Tamil Nadu, members of the Vanniyar caste are found in the districts of Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu. They use the Naicker and Nayagar as a surname or title. Also in Tamil Nadu, members of the Jakkama clan use Nayakkar, Naicker and Nayagar as a surname or title. See also List of Nayakars References Indian surnames Titles in India