Pillai

Herkunft & Geschichte

Pillai is a Tamil and Malayalam title meaning 'child' or 'noble youth', derived from the Tamil 'piḷḷai'. It was historically used as a caste title by Tamil Vellalar, Nair sub-castes, and some Brahmin communities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu who served as scribes, administrators, and court officials. Tamil Pillais were prominent in the administrative machinery of the Chola, Vijayanagara, and later colonial empires.