Samantan
Samanthans were the Royal Lineages of the Nairs of Kerala who were given a status immediately after royalty. Although, like the Royal Families, their racial origin is the same as the Nairs, the Samanthans were generally considered due to their power and royal descent above the Nair community.
Samanthans occupied high power positions as governors and big chiefs commanding their authority over a large area under the local Rajahs. They were powerful magnates who supplied their military forces to the Royal Families in times of need.
With the fall of Nair and Namboodiri aristocracy in 1812, at the hands of the British, the Samanthans became large landlords and lost their political power, like the Nairs. All customs and ceremonies are same as the Nairs. Samanthan surnames include, Thampi, Valiathan, Unnithan and also Nambiars.
With the coming of the NSS (Nair Service Society) the Samanthan castes were all merged with the Nair community and today they are all considered Nairs.