Surname Pillai/Pillay - Meaning and Origin
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Pillai/Pillay: What does the surname Pillai/Pillay mean?
Pillai or Pillay is a popular surname predominantly found in the South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and is also common amongst Tamil diaspora worldwide. The name has historical and social significance. Pillai was a title, often used as a surname, accorded to the higher ranking administrative officials during the Chola and Pandya Kingdoms. Akin to "Esquire" or "Gentleman" in British society, the term "Pillai" denoted respect and honor, roughly translating to "child" or "prince" implying a revered child of the kingdom. While the surname is found across different castes and communities today, it primarily denotes the Nair caste in Kerala and the Vellalar caste in Tamil Nadu, both of which were feudal land-owning classes. However, the interpretations of the name can vary, given the complexity and diversity of Indian social structures and languages.
Order DNA origin analysisPillai/Pillay: Where does the name Pillai/Pillay come from?
Pillai/Pillay is a South Asian title that is mainly associated with the Indian sub-continent. It is a title given to the descendants of the caste of Kshatriyas, a historical social class historically considered to be the highest class of the Hindu society.
Today, Pillai/Pillay is most common in India, especially in the south as the title is more widely used in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, as well as in Maharashtra. Pillai/Pillay is also found in parts of Sri Lanka and in some countries of the Far East including Burma and Singapore.
Various versions of the name such as Pillai, Pillaiya, Pillayan, Pillayanar, Pillayar, Pillaiyar, Pillayudan, Pillaya, Pillera and Villai have developed as variations or variants of Pillain/Pillay.
In India, the name Pillai is also used as a patronymic title in practice of giving the father's name as a suffix to the name of the child. This is often used in place of the surname Pillai, and is especially common among Brahmins in the southern states of India.
The name Pillai/Pillay is also used in many countries outside of the Indian sub-continent, particularly in countries with a significant Indian Diaspora such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia. In these countries, the name is used just like any other surname, as part of the family name.
Variations of the surname Pillai/Pillay
Pillai/Pillay is an Indian honorary title, generally used as a surname. It is most commonly used by people of South Indian Hindu Brahmin communities, especially in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Goa.
The Pillai family name is of Tamil origin and derived from the Tamil word “pillaigal” which translates to “headman” or “chieftain”. In earlier times, it would have been given to prominent members of communities when their status increased.
Variant spellings of the surname Pillai/Pillay include Pillai, Pillay, Pilla and even Pilai.
Common surnames of the same origin include Pillaimar, Pillaimarudu, Pillaiyan, Pillay and Pillaiyar. The last two being open to various spellings.
In India, the name Pillai/Pillay is commonly used by persons belonging to Delhi, Gujarat, Kerala, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Variations in spelling, as well as the addition of new surnames, are common depending on the region. For example, Pillai is transliterated as Pillay in Malayalam, while Pillai is the variant in Tamil Nadu.
The surname Pillai/Pillay can also be spelled Pilli or Pily, depending on the regions. Various states in India also have other surnames based on the same origin as Pillai/Pillay. Few of them include Pillalamarri, Pillamarri, Pillapati, Pillaipakkam and Pillapati.
Regardless of the variant spellings or additional surnames of the same origin, persons using them all form part of the Pillai/Pillay family, making them related in some way.
Famous people with the name Pillai/Pillay
- Harshavardhana Pillai: Indian film director and a noted cinematographer from Kerala.
- Sreedhar Pillai: Indian film critic and editor.
- Sriram P. Pillai: Indian actor and composer.
- Sivaji Ganesan Pillai: Indian actor and dancer.
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Pillai: Indian politician and lawyer.
- Pritviraj Pillai: founder of the Ollur Grama Seva Sangh and the former president of the Kerala Small Industries Association.
- P. Ravindran Pillai: Indian writer and professor.
- A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Pillai: Indian politician and the immediate former President of India.
- Chidambaram Pillai: Indian freedom fighter and former trade union leader.
- Sriram S. Pillai: Political analyst and former Indian Senator.
- Sharad Chandra P. Pillai: Indian cricketer.
- Karthyayani Amma Pillai: Indian classical musician.
- Devandiran P. Pillai: Indian documentary filmmaker.
- V. R. Pillai: Indian Scientist and former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization.
- Bhavani Pillai: Indian classical musician.
- Pulin Pillai: Indian writer and researcher.
- K. M. Pillai: Indian politician and former Member of Parliament from Kerala.