Nair

Origin & History

Nair derives from 'nāyar', a term of disputed etymology possibly related to Sanskrit 'nāyaka' (leader, hero). The Nairs are a group of Hindu castes predominantly from Kerala who historically served as warriors, landlords, and administrators under various Kerala kingdoms including the Travancore and Cochin royal families. Nair society was traditionally matrilineal, with property and ancestry traced through the mother's line.