Meaning:The name 'Iyer' originated in the medieval period when different sects of Brahmins residing in the then Tamil country organized themselves as a single community. It is derived from the Tamil word "Ayya" which is used to designate respectable people. Some believe it is derived from Arya which means Noble. A breakaway sect of Sri Vaishnavas later formed a new community called "Iyengars". Iyers fall under the Pancha Dravida brahmin Sub classification of India's Brahmin Community.They are the followers of the Advaitha philosophy propounded by Adi Shankara. Iyers are predominantly Smarthas i.e followers of the Smrithi Texts. Iyer men and women are generally fairer in complexion.

Sects: The sub sects among Iyers are Vadama, Vathima, Brahacharanam, Sholiyar, Ashtasahasram, Mukkani, Gurukkal. Vadamas are further classified as Vadadesa, Choladesa, Sabhaiyar, Inji and Thummagunta Dravida. Vathimas are fewer in number and are mostly confined to the 18 villages in the Tanjavur district. They are classified into Pathinettu Gramathu Vathima, Udayalur, Nannilam and Rathamangalam. Brahacharanam are divided into Kandramaicka, Milanganur, Mangudi,Pazhamaneri, Musanadu, Kolathur, Marudancheri, Sathyamangalam and Puthur Dravida. Ashtasahasrams are divided into Aththiyur, Arivarpade, Nandivadi, Shatkulam. Choliyars are divided into Thirukattiyur, madalur, Visalur, Puthalur, Senganur, Avadiyar Kovil. Gurukkals are divided into Tiruvalangad, Conjeevaram, Thirukkazhukundram. Iyers are also divided based on the Vedas that they follow / study.

Migrations: Earliest migration was to West Bengal. They are called Dakshinatyas there. Those who migrated to Karnataka were called Mulukanaadu Iyers and Ashtagrama Iyers. Those that migrated to Kerala were the Travencore Iyers and the Palakkad Iyers

Rituals: They usually follow the Apasthamba Sutra. The rites followed are based on the Shodasa Samskaras (the Seventeen Essential Samskaras). Jatakarma, Ayusha Homa, Upanayana, Kalyana are some of the rituals followed, Iyers celebrate all Hindu festivals like Deepavali, Navaratri, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Pongal, Janmasthtami, Tamil New Year, Siva Rathri and Karthikai Deepam. Exclusive festival celebrated by the Tamil Brahmin community is the Avani Avittam.

Wedding: Typical wedding would consist of the following, Sumangali Prarthanai, Nandi, Nischayathartham, Mangalyadharanam, Vratham, Kasi Yatra, Oonjal, Kanyadanam, Panigrahanam, Saptapathi and Nalangu

Food Habits: Their dietary habits are considered to be strict consuming only vegetarian food. Some abstain from onion and garlic on the grounds that they activate certain base senses. Milk and Milk Products are approved. They abstain from intoxicants including alcohol and tobacco.

Traditional Attire: The men usually wear Veshtis which cover them from waist to foot. The Panchagatcham style is the traditional one. The Angavastram is wrapped around the shoulders. The woman is draped in a 9 yard saree

Cleanliness: The women of the household cook food only after a bath, while the males perform religious rites after a purificatory bath. An Iyer does not visit a temple without taking bath. Food is partaken of only after it is offered to the deity/deities in a prescribed manner. Like any other Brahmin community, bathing everyday is mandatory, and is, strictly speaking, the first thing to be carried out, before beginning any work of the day or before the start of any ritual or prayer. So much importance was given to this, that it was not unusual to see Iyers bathe many times during the day (before performing any important ritual).The bathing was considered sufficiently purifying only if it confirmed to the rules of madi. The word madi is used by Tamil Brahmins to indicate that a person is bodily pure. In order to practice madi, the brahmin had to wear only clothes which had been recently washed and dried, and the clothes should remain untouched by any person who was not madi. Only after taking bath in cold water, and after wearing such clothes, would the person be in a state of madi. This practice of madi is followed by Iyers even in modern times, before participating in any kind of religious ceremony

Food: The staple food is rice accompanied by side dishes, rasam and sambar. Traditional meals do not begin until ghee is poured over a heap of rice and lentils. Curd is also one of their favourite. Coffee is an indispensible part of Iyer menu. Food is partaken after Annasuddi meaning purification of rice.