There are
1944
Pillais in the USA
Pillai is the
15163rd
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Pillai

LalithaPadmini

Lalitha Padmini was a renowned Indian actress and classical dancer. She was one of the famous trio in the South Indian cinema during the 1950s and 1960s.

VenkatramanRamakrishnan

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan is an Indian-born American and British structural biologist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009 for his work on the structure and function of the ribosome.

G.Sankara

G. Sankara Kurup was an Indian poet and scholar who won the first Jnanpith Award, the highest literary award in India, in 1965 for his collection of poems titled 'Odakkuzhal' (Flute).

SathyanAnthikad

Sathyan Anthikad is an Indian film director and screenwriter known for his work in the Malayalam film industry. He has directed several critically acclaimed movies focused on family and relationships.

ArundhatiRoy

Arundhati Roy is an Indian author and political activist known for her novel 'The God of Small Things' which won the Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 1997. She is also an outspoken critic of social and political issues in India.

GopinathMuthukad

Gopinath Muthukad is an Indian magician and escapologist known for his innovative magic tricks and humanitarian efforts. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to the field of magic.

R.Sankar

R. Sankar was an Indian politician who served as the Chief Minister of Kerala from 1962 to 1964. He played a significant role in shaping the development policies of the state.

LakshmiPillai

Lakshmi Pillai was an Indian freedom fighter and social reformer who actively participated in the Indian independence movement. She worked towards empowering women and promoting education.

VasudevaBalakrishna

Vasudeva Balakrishna Pillai was an Indian politician and lawyer who served as the Minister of Law and Education in the Travancore-Cochin state of India. He played a crucial role in the formation of the state's educational policies.

ShobhanaParameswaran

Shobhana Parameswaran Nair, known mononymously as Shobhana, is an Indian film actress and Bharatanatyam dancer. She has received several awards for her performances in Indian cinema.

Pillai Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Pillai' is primarily associated with the Tamil community in South India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Pillāvān,' which means 'noble' or 'chief.' Historically, Pillais were considered as a land-owning warrior caste, and many held important administrative positions under various rulers in South India.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Pillai' is most commonly found in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where the Tamil community is predominant. It is also found among the Tamil diaspora in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Pillai' include 'Pillay,' 'Pillainayagam,' and 'Pillaimar.' These variations may be seen in different regions and communities within the Tamil population.
Migration and ImmigrationThe migration and immigration of people with the surname 'Pillai' can be traced back to ancient times when the Tamil community spread to various parts of South India. In recent centuries, many Tamil people, including those with the surname 'Pillai,' have immigrated to different countries due to economic opportunities, political conflicts, and educational pursuits.