Ilai (leaf).--Ilai or Ele has been recorded as a sub-division of Tigalas and Toreyas who cultivate the betel vine (Piper betle). Elai Vaniyan occurs as a synonym of Senaikkudaiyans, who are betel leaf sellers in Tinnevelly.
Ilaiyattakudi.--A sub-division of Nattukottai Chetti.
Ilakutiyan.--Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a sub-division of Nayar.
Ilamagan.--The Ilamagans are described by Mr. Francis [179] as "a cultivating caste found chiefly in the Zamindari taluk of Tiruppattur in Madura. The word literally means a young man, but the young is interpreted by other castes in the sense of inferior. One says that it is made up of the sons of Vallamban females and Vellala males, another that it is a mixture of outcasted Valaiyans, Kallans and Maravans, and a third that it is descended from illegitimate children of the Vellalas and Pallis. Like the Kallans and Valaiyans, the members of the caste stretch the lobes of their ears, and leave their heads unshaven. The caste is divided into two or three endogamous sections of territorial origin. They do not employ Brahmans as purohits; their widows may marry again; their dead are usually buried; and they will eat pork, mutton, fowls, and fish. They are thus not high in the social scale, and are, in fact, about on a par with the Kallans. The headmen of the caste are called Ambalam." It is suggested, in the Census Report, 1891, that, from the fact that Ilamagan appears as a sub-division of the Maravans, it may perhaps be inferred that the two castes are closely allied.
Ilampi.--Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a sub-division of Nayar.
Illa (of a house).--An exogamous sept of Yanadi.
Illam.--Defined by Mr. Wigram [180] as meaning the house of an ordinary Nambudri Brahman. It is recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a sub-division of Nayar. The name Illam Vellala has been assumed by some Panikkans in the Tamil country, whose exogamous septs are called Illam. In Travancore, Ilakkar or Illathu, meaning those attached to Brahman houses, is said to be an occupational sub-division of Nayars. Ilakkar further occurs as an exogamous sept of Mala Arayans, known as the Three Thousand.
Illuvellani.--The name, derived from illu, house, and vellani, those who do not go out, of a sub-division of Kammas, whose wives are kept gosha (in seclusion).