Menattan: The Menattan sect comprises of people of the West and Kanyakumari District. They derive their name form Mel meaning West and Nattan meaning countrymen.

The leaders, or thalaivars were called Natars. Natars are the largest caste in Kanya Kumari District. A myth developed about the origins of the community, now known as natars (an honorific form of natans): that their forebears were actually royalty of Kshatriya status, having descended from Pallava Dynasty and who later lived in various Palmyrah forests in Thirunelveli district. Later they migrated southwards to Nanjil Nadu and Thiruvanathapuram Territory.

The rulers of Nadu were called Nadalvars. Nadalvars used to be adminsitrators of Pandiyan kingdom who also managed temples residing at Azhvancherrys. Nattars,Nadans were the other titles of rulers. Most of the Nadars, or Shanars as they were called sometimes, in the southern parts of Travancore were impoverished migrants from the areas of present Tirunelveli and Ramnad districts that lay to the east of the Travancore state. Later they became owners of fertile land in Nanjil Nadu due to building of dams and diversion of rivers in the Kanyakumari territory.

The Ezhavas of Alappey district are called Ezhava Shanars due to intermingling with the Nadars of the earlier era. Later, many of these untouchble shanars converted to Christianity.

Kodikkal or Nattati: The Kodikkal or Nattati sect hail from a place called Nattati in Srivaikundram taluk of Chidambaranar District. This place is famous for betel cultivation. Some claim that Kodi Marathar are one who defend the flag of the kingdom.

The Pullukku Shanans: They were employed as servants, but were ambitious. Several people claim that they are the soldiers mostly called as Chanar (ie chan or Iron and people those who carried iron implements when iron was rare) and Pullu Kai Chanar are hired soldiers who threw spears. The kusthi, malyuddham & gymnastic instructors ( one who trained in Martial arts were called as pannika Nadars. In Kanykumari belt, they are called as Asans and in Thirunelvely belt, they are called as Vadhiyar Nadars.