The surname Hedayat is used by different families of different origins throughout the Muslim world. In Iran when referring to that family name without further specification, it almost refers to one prominent family originating from Mazanderan in Northern Iran. Notable people from this family include:
Reza-Qoli Khan Hedayat (1800–1871), a Persian writer and poet
Ali Qoli Khan Mokhber od-Dowleh I (1830–1897), Minister of Education, Post and Telegraphs
Jafar Qoli Khan Nayyer-ol-Molk I (1831–1913), Minister of Education
Morteza Qoli Khan Sani-ol Douleh (1856–1911), President of the 1st Majles
Mehdi Qoli Khan Hedayat, Mokhber-ol Saltaneh (1864–1955), Prime-Minister of Iran
Mohammed Qoli Khan Hedayat, Mokhber-ol Molk (1865–1950), Minister of Finances
Reza Qoli Khan Hedayat, Nayer-ol Molk II (1872–1945), Minister of Education
Hassan Ali Khan Kamal-Hedayat, Nasr-ol Molk (1877–1957), Minister of Post and Telegraph
Sadeq Hedayat (1903–1951), Iranian writer
