Menon (title)

For other uses, see Menon (disambiguation).

Menon
Regions with significant populations
Kerala, mostly in the South Malabar, Thrissur, Cochin and Palakkad regions
Languages
Malayalam
Religion
Hinduism

Menon (Malayalam: [meːnoːn]) is an aristocratic hereditary title of the Nair community bestowed by various kings of Kerala, most saliently the Zamorin of Calicut and Maharaja of Cochin, upon eminent Nairs. The recipient of the title held it lifelong, and the male members of the family held it in perpetuity in the matrilineal line.

Historically, the Menons were feudal landlords or Jenmimar with some of them being Naduvazhis. They were often engaged in various administrative and political duties, such as being ministers, accountants and advisors of the Kings of Kerala. Many members of the Menon subcaste are related to the Cochin royal family, Zamorin of Calicut, Paliam royal family, & Kodungallur royal family since the members of royal families in Central Kerala were often married to aristocratic Nair/Menon families. Thus, the children of such Rajahs and Maharajahs held the Menon title and passed it to subsequent generations matrilineally.[1][2][3]

The famous Paliath Achans from the Paliam Royal family of Cochin and the Shekhari Varmas of the Palakkad Royal family, both families share the title.[4][5]


  1. ^ Pradeep, K. (19 June 2015). "The story of a statue". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  2. ^ Pradeep, K. (25 February 2017). "The dynamics of VRM's genius". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  3. ^ "Cochin Royal Family Historical Society | Family History". 14 January 2009. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "The Paliath Achans of Cochin". Manu S Pillai. 21 September 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  5. ^ Krishnamachari, Suganthy (30 April 2020). "Inscriptions talk of fascinating Kongu connection". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 January 2023.