Menon (title)

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 the 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 Jenmimar (feudal chieftains), with some of them being Naduvazhis (ruling elites). They were often engaged in various administrative and political duties, such as being ministers, accountants and advisors to the kings of Kerala.

Many members of the Menon subcaste are related to the Cochin royal family, the Zamorin of Calicut, the Paliam royal family, and the Kodungallur royal family, since the members of royal families in central Kerala were often married to aristocratic Nair families. Thus, the children of such Rajahs and Maharajahs held the 'Menon' title and passed it on to subsequent generations matrilineally. The Paliath Achans and the Shekhari Varmas also share the title.