Desai is an administrative title and surname derived from the Sanskrit words deśa 'land' and svamin 'lord.' 'Desai' is a surname attributed to Hindus who were feudal lords and revenue collectors. People with the Desai surname are usually of the Anavil Brahmin sub-caste. They could also belong to the Nagar Brahmin sub-caste; and some Patels also have the surname 'Desai'.
Some people were sometimes honored with the title 'Desai' when serving as revenue collectors during the Mughal Empire in the Western Indian regions of Gujarat & also in some regions of Maharashtra, Konkan, and Goa. In the Konkan region, the titular Desai surname is attached to another family name or the name of the village, e.g. Sawant Desai (primarily of Sawantwadi), Rane Sardesai, Raut Desai, Gawas Desai, Naik Desai.
Read more about Desai: Notable Desais