A family based mainly in Meenachil taluk of kottayam district, but spread over the entire state of Kerala and whose members contributed much to the social, educational, economic and political fields of Kerala.
There are different opinions regarding the coming of the family to Meenachil taluk. The most accepted theory is that by the beginning of 10th century ‘ The Nambikkattu karthakkanmar’ who were the rulers of Meenachil, brought to Mevada, a family from Edappally, who had settled at Kallakadambu house at Manarcaud near kottayam, to physically touch and remove the so called ‘theendal’ of oil, salt etc., which were traded by the low class people as it was the common belief at that time, that things touched by ‘nasranees’ became pure. In course of time the family became famous on acquiring wealth and positions.
There are records to show that members of Erakonny family took the lead for constructing Pala Valiyapally which later became St. Thomas cathedral church, Pala in 1002 AD along with Tharayil, Vayalakomban and Kootumkal families. Family units with the original name Erakonny, exist even now at Thodanal, Kottiyam, Manantoddy and Vettilapara. Detailed and reliable information regarding the family up to the beginning of 17th century is not available. Authentic and accurate information is available from “Erakonny Ittycheria” who settled at Mevada Vettickattu purayidom in the early years of 17th century.
Shri Ittycheria had 7 sons. The eldest son Ittyavirah married from Ayarkunnam Kudakasseril family and settled there. The second son settled at Parinthirickal Meenachil, while the third son settled at Pulickal house, Mevada. Fourth son Pothen is the head of Mannoor- Naganoolil family. presently known in different names as Puthiyathu, Kokkapuram, Koippuram, Kunnumpurathu, Plackattu, Madhavapallil, Thalakulam, Mannoor, Eettiyamkal, Moolamunda, Njattukalakunnel, Kalappurackal, Cherikunnel, Chollanickal, Pazhanilam, Punnackal, Madathikattukunnel, Chellankottu, Thaithottam, Vallikattukuzhy, Kottukappally, Kochambazhathumkal, Idayadiyil, Padannamackal, Vavalamkal, Kizhavanchiyil. Fifth son who remained at Vettikkattu house is the head of the familes now known as Poovakulam, Mundupalackal, Idiyakunnel, Choorakunnel, Aikara, Thannippara, Vadayattukunnel, Nedumthakadiyel, Vadakkemuriyil, Varikkamakal, Valiyaparambil, Thakadiyel, Kizhakkemuryil, Kochumuriyil, Kuzhuppallil, Pullattuthadathil, Cheriyamyladiyil, Pathickal, Kulathumkal, Mappilakunnel under the common name, Vayalil family at Kozhuvanal. Sixth son of Ittycheria is the ancestor of Thodukayil family of Mutholy, which includes Nanthikkattu, Ezhuthupallickal, Madathanikunnel, Kochukottel, Moolayil families at present. Seventh son of Erakonny Ittycheria, Thomman, who later came to be known as ‘Puthenpurackal Thommapanicker’, is the head of Puthenpurackal family of Pala with Padinjarakkara, Ottaplackal and Kizhakkekara branches. Theruvil, Kottarathil, Chakkankulam, Thekkekandom, Mandavathil and Kalappurackal are the main branches of Padinjarekkara family., who in later years came to be known in different names as Thekketheruvil, Kootaplackal, Medackal, Kottarathil, Vettukattil, Pazhoor, Pazhokaitholil, Kuthivalachel, Thalachira, Cheeramkuzhy, Kedumpanpurayidom, Thozhuthungavayalil, Tharappel, Vellimoozhayil, Kalapurayil, Paliakunnel, Thekkekandam, Alackapallil, Ozhakkal, Ancheril, Mundankal, Velikkakathu. Karotteveetil, Thazhathuveetil, Puthenpurackal, Peedikayil, Alackal, Thattamparambil, Eenthumkal Pakuthy, Kaitholil, Kochumattam, Vakaniyil, Pulimalakunnel, Kumbukkal, Moonnumackal are the main branches under Kizhakkekara family.