Overview
Iyers (also spelt Ayyar, Aiyar, Ayer or Aiyer; Tamil pronunciation: [ajːɐr]) are an ethnoreligious community of Tamil Brahmins. The majority of Iyers reside in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Together with the Iyengars, they form the broader community known as Tamil Brahmins.
Most Iyers follow the Advaita philosophy propounded by Adi Shankara and adhere to the Smarta tradition. This sets them apart from the Iyengar community, who are adherents of Sri Vaishnavism. Within the wider classification of Brahmins in India, Iyers fall under the Pancha Dravida Brahmana grouping.
The community is internally divided into various denominations based on traditional and regional differences. As with other Brahmin communities, Iyers are also classified according to their gotra, or patrilineal descent, and according to the Veda that a particular family follows. These distinctions inform aspects of ritual practice and matrimonial customs.
While the title "Iyer" is widely used as a surname, members of the community also commonly use other surnames such as Sāstri or Bhattar, often reflecting scholarly traditions or hereditary temple roles.
References
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Iyer.