Desai

Desai (देसाई) () is an Indian administrative, princely or honorary title and surname.
Etymology.
The word is derived from the Sanskrit "deśa" (country) and "svāmī" (lord).
Desai as a title.
Desai was a title given to feudal lords, and others who were granted a village or group of villages, in North Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The title Desai should not be associated with a particular religion or caste, though a Desai would use the title of Rao or Rai or Raje as a suffix to his name denoting he is a king of those villages, The "Desai" title was given by Maratha emperors, Mughal emperors and by the Deccan sultanates.
Desai, or a loftier compound, was a rare title for rulers of a few princely states, notably:
Desai as a surname.
Desai as a surname is used by Deshastha Brahmin, Karhade Brahmin, Anavil Brahmin, Rabari, Leva Patel, Patidar, and Lingayat communities of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat.
Individual people.
Notable individuals with the surname Desai include: