List of surnames from Kerala

The titles are given to certain individual of families in Kerala

• Nair - Higher caste surname, encompassing several subcastes which includes High ranking martial castes like Pillai, Kurup, Unnithan, Menon, Nambiar, etc that formed the aristocracy and elite of traditional Kerala, which is also used by auxiliary, intermediate and middle-caste Nairs like Padamangalam Nair, Pallichan Nair, Vaniya Nair, etc.^[1]
• Varma - The surname of the royal nairs, notably kings, varies depending on the specific monarchy.
• Pillai - The Pillai surname is often associated with Nairs who are feudal Lords, royals, and warriors.^[2][3]
• Kurup - The surname "Kurup" among the Nairs often indicates individuals who are Naduvazhi or landlords and are recognized as brave warriors.^[4]
• Nambudiri - Malayali elite Brahmin surname.^[5]
• Thirumulpad - Surname of Samantha Nairs.^[6]
• Unnithan - A group of Nairs belonging to the baronial class.
• Nambiar - The Landlord class Nairs found in North Malabar.
• Menon - Aristocratic title for Nairs, who primarily function as landlords, warriors, accountants, military officers of the princely state.^[7]
• Thampi - The Surname associated with Nairs related to royal families.
• Kartha - Nairs associated with aristocracy.^[8]
• Kaimal - The Nair surname 'Kaimal' is associated with Kiriyathil Nair.
• Tharakan - Surname of Hindus and Saint Thomas Christians.
• Rawther - The surname for Muslims Rowthers in Travancore.
• Nayanar - The Nair surname associated with aristocracy.^[9]
• Panicker - The surname is associated with Nairs, Ezhavas, Thiyyas and Christian families.
• Mannadiyar - Aristocratic surnames of Kiriyathil Nairs in Palakkad district.
• Moopil Nair^[10] - Nairs of Palakkad District
• Potti - Brahmin Surname.
• Zamorin^[11] - Malabar Nair dynasty title.
• Swaroopam - Royal title of Kerala.
• Thamban - Royal Nair title.
• Chekavar - A title in North Malabar, given to the members of Thiyya Caste who are trained in Warfare and Martial Arts and are deployed as Soldiers.^[12]
• Mappila - Mappila is a surname for Travancore Syrian Christians and Muslims of Malabar.
• Moopan - All Kerala and North Malabar most commonly.^[13]
• Koya^[14] - Muslim surname in Malappuram district.
• Channar^[15] - surname associated with Ezhavas and nadars
• Cherayi Panikkar^[16] - Commander of Samoothiri Raja and title given to the Thiyya Caste in South Malabar.
• Achari - south part
• Ezhuthachan^[17] - Malappuram and Thrissur District.
• Vaidyar^[18] - All Kerala.
• Thandan^[19] - Title Given to Thiyya Caste Headman/chiefs across kerala.
• Nadar - Southern Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram mainly)
• Shenoy - Konkani people used in Kasargod district.
• Marakkar - chief commander of Kozhikode Zamorin.
• Mannanar^[20] - Kannur dynasty.

References

1. Sreenivasan, T. P. (2011). Mattering to India: The Shashi Tharoor Campaign. Pearson Education India. ISBN 9788131759448.
2. Lannoy, Mark de; DeLannoy, Mark (1997). The Kulasekhara Perumals of Travancore: history and state formation in Travancore from 1671 to 1758. CNWS publications. Leiden: Research School CNWS. ISBN 978-90-73782-92-1.
3. Devasahayam, M. G.; ThePrint (2022-07-11). "Saint Devasahayam's anti-caste struggle angered Brahmins and Nairs, not his conversion". ThePrint. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
4. Lannoy, Mark de; DeLannoy, Mark (1997). The Kulasekhara Perumals of Travancore: history and state formation in Travancore from 1671 to 1758. CNWS publications. Leiden: Research School CNWS. ISBN 978-90-73782-92-1.
5. Jeffrey, Robin (1992). "Old Kerala". Politics, Women and Well-Being. Cambridge Commonwealth Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. pp. 19–33. doi:10.1007/978-1-349-12252-3_3. ISBN 978-0292704176.
6. Madras Census report 1891
7. Commissioner, India Census (1903). Census of India, 1901: India (4 v.). Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India.
8. Kaimal,” the title of a prince of the Nayar caste in Malabar (Dalgado I 172-173). (1977). "Francis Xavier: His Life, his times - vol. 2: India, 1541-1545". The Jesuits Historical Institute, 1977.
9. Miller, Eric J. (1955). "Village Structure in North Kerala". In Srinivas, M. N. (ed.). India's Villages. Bombay: Media Promoters & Publishers.
10. "The Indian Civil Liberties Bulletin". May 9, 1959 – via Google Books.
11. "Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons". 1874 – via books.google.co.in.
12. Green, Thomas A. (2001). Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 9781576071502.
13. "Journal of Kerala Studies". University of Kerala. May 9, 2009 – via Google Books.
14. Koya, S. M. Mohamed (May 9, 1983). "Mappilas of Malabar: Studies in Social and Cultural History". Sandhya Publications – via Google Books.
15. Ram, Manakkadan Manicoth Anand (May 9, 1999). "Influx: Crete to Kerala". Keerthi Publishing House – via Google Books.
16. Punja, Pattotmogar R. Ranganatha (May 9, 1948). "India's Legacy: The World's Heritage". Basel Mission Book Depot – via Google Books.
17. R, ARUNRAJ (January 25, 2018). IF YOU LOVE SOMEONE LET THEM SLEEP. Arunraj R. ISBN 9781545716656 – via Google Books.
18. Bamat, Tomás; Wiest, Jean-Paul (May 9, 1999). Popular Catholicism in a World Church: Seven Case Studies in Inculturation. Orbis Books. ISBN 9781570752520 – via Google Books.
19. (India), Kerala (1962). "Kerala District Gazetteers: Kozhikode (supplement)" – via books.google.co.in.
20. Thurston, Edgar; Rangachari, K. (2001). Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 9788120602885 – via books.google.co.in.