User-submitted Reference

The Oteyolanu surname derives from Ọ̀tẹ̀-yin-ọlá-nù (yin mi nu is Ìjẹ̀ṣà dialect which is same as fi mí lẹ̀), meaning 'leave me alone'. Using the regular Yorùbá is what brings about Ọ̀tẹ́yọlánù, meaning Ọ̀tẹ̀ fi Ọlá sílẹ̀ (i.e, rebellion, 'leave Ọlá alone'). The Ọlá is Ọ̀tẹ́yọlánù's forefather.

Once upon a time, a war broke out known as Ogun ọ̀tẹ̀ (war of rebellion or strife). The Ọ̀tẹ́yọlánù ancestor was returning from a journey and was captured by the men behind the Ogun ọ̀tẹ̀. They didn't know his true identity at the time. While in bondage, the men were chanting the eulogy of Ọ̀tẹ́yọlánù's father - a wealthy and royal personality, (unknown to them that the son was their prisoner), then Ọ̀tẹ́yọlánù told them that that was his father's oríkì (eulogy). They didn't believe him, so they told him to recite the oríkì and he rendered it better than they did. That made them believe his identity that he was really ọmọ ọlá (from an affluent home), this led to his release.

Once upon a time, a war broke out known as Ogun ọ̀tẹ̀ (war of rebellion or strife). The Ọ̀tẹ́yọlánù ancestor was returning from a journey and was captured by the men behind the Ogun ọ̀tẹ̀. They didn't know his true identity at the time. While in bondage, the men were chanting the eulogy of Ọ̀tẹ́yọlánù's father - a wealthy and royal personality, (unknown to them that the son was their prisoner), then Ọ̀tẹ́yọlánù told them that that was his father's oríkì (eulogy). They didn't believe him, so they told him to recite the oríkì and he rendered it better than they did. That made them believe his identity that he was really ọmọ ọlá (from an affluent home), this led to his release.

That brought about the name Ọ̀tẹ̀-yin-ọlá-nù (yin mi nu is Ìjẹ̀ṣà dialect which is same as fi mi le), meaning 'leave me alone'. Using the regular Yorùbá is what brings about Ọ̀tẹ́yọlánù, meaning Ọ̀tẹ̀ fi Ọla sílẹ̀ (i.e rebellion, leave Ola alone). The Ola is Ọ̀tẹ́yọlánù's forefather.