What is "yellapu"

Yellapu ( Telugu: ఎల్లాపు) is the name of a Hindu Caste from the Southern Indian state of Telangana. The Yellapu , can also be called Vellapulam or Vellapu . The word Ellapu,Vellapu,Yellapu is derived from - Ellalu(Border) ape vadu(Blocker), the people of this clan were valiant warriors and they act as a shield by preventing the entry of foreign forces into the kingdom at the time of warfare and hence known as "అవసరానికి ఆదుకునీ ఎల్లప్పుడు కాపాడే ఎల్లాపులు" by the people (Yellapu - ఎల్లలు కాపాడేవాడు, ఎల్లలు ఆపే వాడు). Yellapi is some other caste, which has similar name to that of Yellapu. Hence, members of this caste claimed themselves to be part of a Yellapu (Vellapu) caste. Over the years this clan has dwindled in numbers due to lack of unity or merging into other communities. This clan over the years dispersed widely across various regions in India The people from this community, normally carry the title "Rao" and "Deshmukh" in their names.