Nayanar (meaning "the Nayar") is an honorific title used by sub-castes of the Nair community from North Malabar, India.
Like other North Malabar (Kannur and neighboring districts) Nairs, Nayanars earlier claimed a higher status to Nairs of South Malabar (Kozhikode and neighboring districts).
[1] The Nayanar title is mostly given to prominent Nambiar families by the Chirakkal Raja.
Samantha Nairs of South Malabar, Kaimals of Cochin, and Pillais of Travancore are considered similar castes to Nayanars.
[2] The Nayanars were Samanthans, Kiryathils, Illathu Nairs and Naduvazhi (chiefs of chiefdoms and aristocrats) and Jenmimar (landed gentry).