Pillai

Pillai or Pillay is a surname found among the Malayalam and Tamil-speaking people of India and Sri Lanka

According to epigraphic records, Pillai is an ancient title that was used as a suffix that goes back to the Sangam Era and was given to junior members of the royal family. Originally the title meaning "royal child", came to be given to administrators of temples; often holding large estates on behalf of the latter.

Early English records also address these hereditary ruling chiefs as the princes of Kerala ranking below the monarch. Tamil inscriptions define the direct meaning of Pillai as "Child of King" (prince), denoting nobility. The title occur both as a single name or as a suffix to the name. This title has been in traditional use by the communities such as the Nairs and the Vellalars.

Means "child" in Malayalam and Tamil.