Thayyil
| Thayyil | |
|---|---|
| town | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Kannur |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 670 003 |
| Telephone code | +91497 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-13 |
| Nearest city | Kannur |
Thayyil is an Indian family name and surname found predominantly in the State of Kerala, India, used by many communities including Nairs, Thiyyas, Muslims and Christians. The word in old Malayalam means Beautiful, Pretty etc. The word "Thayyilale" is used to refer a beautiful girl in old Malayalam.
Probably this lineage has started with Thayyil, a family in Kannur district of Kerala state, south India. It is a Thiyya aristocratic family name which has its origin in a Nair royal lady. Thayyil tharavadu is situated in Thalikave ward Kannur. It is believed that one of two sisters of a Nair family had to flee Vadakara due to riots that broke out there. One among them got married to one Valli Karanavar of the Thayyil family and the other sister married into the Arakkal, a prominent Muslim family.
The Thayyil family lineage is more than 900 years old and its branches are spread far and wide and those interested could trace its genealogy with one of the direct descending families living in Govinda Sadanam, Thalikave Road, Kannur. This family is also related to Onden Tharavad, Koroth Thravad, Vengilat, Palliyath etc.which are also Thiyya Tharavads.
The family is also closely associated with Lord Muthappan of Parassinikkadavu, through his grace and blessing. Tradition requires that the Annual Festival ('Ulsavam') of the Muthappan Temple at Parassinikkadavu is to be started by a procession led by a female member of the "Thayyil" clan of Thayyil, Kannur from the family home with Kalaripayattu to the main altar of the temple, where she offers a 'Pooja' (prayer) to the God.
Also there is a place named Thayyil in the coastal area 3 kilometers away from Kannur town famous for a mosque called Thayyil Juma Masjid. Other religious shrines of this area are Thayyil Sree Venkataramana Temple, Shri Kurumba temple and St. Antony's church.
Among the Syrian Christians, the Thayyil family of Niranom (Thiruvalla) is one among the 4 aristocratic families of the region that accepted Christianity from St Thomas, circa 54 AD as per traditions. The branches of this family are spread in other places of Central Travancore such as Pala, Thumpamon etc. The members belong to both the Catholic and the Non Catholic factions of the faith.