Mudaliar, also spelled as Mudaliyar, Muthaliyar, Mudali, and Moodley, is a surname used by the Tamil people. It is derived from the honorary title Mudali meaning a person of first rank in the Tamil language, which was bestowed upon top-ranking bureaucratic officials, philanthropists, educationists, physicians, politicians and army officers in medieval south India.
The following is a list of people that have used Mudaliar surname.
Historical personalities
Poets
Andaka Kaviviraraghava Mudaliar: A poet of the 16th century
Chieftains and ministers
Vallal Sadaiyappa Mudaliar: 12th Century velir: Lived Puducherry: and Thiruvenainallur: in Tamil Nadu. Patron of Tamil Poet Kambar: who created Kamba Ramayanam. Ottakoothar: 12th century court poet and minister of Cholas under Vikrama Chola, Kulothunga Chola II, Raja Raja Chola II reign. He is known as Kavichakravarthy. Ariyanatha Mudaliar: Vellala Dalavoy of the Vijayanagar viceroy Viswanatha Nayaka. Veerabaahu: commander-in-chief of Lord Kartikeya's army. Chandramathi Mudaliar: was a 17th-century Tamil chieftain and ruler of south Kongu Nadu (Erode region) who fought many battles against the Telugu Madurai Nayak. Erode Fort was built by him.
Modern personalities
Social leaders, activists
S. P. Ayyaswamy Mudaliar, His house Gandhi Peak in Royapettah, Chennai hosted many INC meetings and Netaji. C. Jambulingam Mudaliar, Indian politician and freedom-fighter who served as a civil court judge and member of the Madras Legislative Council Muthuranga Mudaliar, Freedom-fighter from Nasarath pettai near Poonamallee in Thiruvallur District. He participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942 Sarojini Varadappan, Social worker in women welfare and empowerment, awarded Padma Shri 1971 and Padma Bhushan in 2009. M.B. Nirmal, Social worker in consumer advocacy, afforestation programmes, and rehabilitation of convicts among others.
Tamil literature
Irattaipulavar (Mudhusooriyar, Ilam sooriyar) 14th century poetical-duo (one blind and one lame) who authored Ekambaranathar ula. Kangeyar, a 14th-century poet who wrote "Urichol Nigandu".
Padikasu Pulavar Tamil poet of 17th century known for his work 'Thondaimandala Sadhakam'.Vethagiri Mudaliar: Tamil scholar, published Tirukkural with commentaries for the first time. Bharathidhasan (1891-1964) (born as Kanaga. SubbuRathinam Mudaliar) known as Paavendhar, Puratchi Kavignar , Tamil poet, politician, social activist and teacher. A. Singaravelu Mudaliar:Compiled a Tamil encyclopedia entitled Apitana Cintamani. Makaral Karthikeya Mudaliar: Tamil scholar Pa. Subramania Mudaliar: Tamil scholar Mahavidwan Vasudeva Mudaliar: Tamil scholar Thandavarayar Mudaliyar, Tamil enthusiast, translated panchatantra from maratha language T. K. Chidambaranatha Mudaliar: A scholar and author of . Tamilanban (b.1933): Tamil Poet and writer.
Philanthropists
Rao Bahadur M. Jambulingam Mudaliar, Philanthropist from Cuddalore who was donator of 620 acres land to Neyveli lignite corporation. Nachimuthu Mudaliar, a philanthropist from Chennimalai. He was the founder of Chentex weavers co-operative society in which thousands of weavers benefited and he was a Padma Shree awardee. He was former president of Senguntha Mahajana Sangam. K. A. Shanmuga Mudaliar: ex MLA and Chairman of Tirupattur. Founder of Government Thirumagal Mill's College Pachaiyappa Mudaliar, Philanthropist after whom the Pachaiyappa's College, Pachiyappa's Trust Board, Chennai was named. V. L. Ethiraj, Renowned Barrister and Philanthropist who donated his life savings and founded the Ethiraj College for Women. Raja Sir Ramaswamy Mudaliar: Philanthropist who endowed a hospital and dispensary in the Native infirmary and was a leader of Indian National Congress Arcot Narrainsawmy Mudaliar, Philanthropist who founded the R.B.A.N.M.'s Educational Charities and R.B.A.N.M.'s Chattram and other Charities.