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Rathappilly family takes its origin from one of the ancient Christian families in Arakuzha. During the mid of 10th cent. AD, it is believed that eight or ten Christian families stayed in Arakuzha. Even though their family names are not available, we find names like, 'rathappilly', 'ooram ', 'cherivilayam', 'kalambukadal', 'kadalikadal', 'mudiyan' etc. in an old Tamil song sung by the forefathers. It is presumed that most of the families residing now in Arakuzha might belong to this great family. However, it is not absolutely certain as to whoever belong to whichever family lines.
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Traditions and myths testify that many of the families including 'rathappilly' in Arakuzha migrated from Kodungaloor town in the 10th cent. AD. Kodungaloor was the first mission place of the great apostle of India, St. Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. Many Hindu families embraced Christianity and received baptism from the holy hands of the apostle. From 73 AD to 10th cent., Kodungaloor town was under the strong hold of Christians. During the days of Villarvattam, the Christian King, the power and influence of Nazrani Christians in Kodungaloor reached its heights. They excelled in trade and commerce when compared to other religious communities. They were also skilled in martial arts like 'kalaripayat', 'vadithallu', etc., which made them invincible even in the battle field. They had special trainers and their own fields for their rigorous training in martial arts.
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The kings and local administrators praised and respected the Christians and gave a number of royal honours and privileges. The permission to use 'Shanghu', 'Panchavadyam', 'Pakalvilakku', 'Pavada' etc. was particularly given to Christians alone. When travelling outside, Christians were given special sanctions and honours like, to appoint 'accompanying people', make their travel in 'pallakku'(palanquin), and keep the servants to make way and call out at the front. They were offered many slaves like carpenters, pot makers, black and gold smiths. The Christians were administering the department of weighing, counting and measurement from Kodungallor bay to Cheraman Gopuram, four boundaries and the villages nearby. All these allowances and privileges including, collecting levy and tax on things like salt, jiggery, kasthuri and oil were given to Kodungalloor Christians by Veera Raghava Perumal, the emperor of Kerala.
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By the beginning of 10th century A.D, strength of Christians who lived with power and glory, began to decline. There were several reasons behind this. Villarvattom, the king of Nasranis shifted his kingdom from Kodungalloor to Udayamperoor. Also, these Nasranis had to face frequent attacks from foreign Mohammedans. They put fire to Christian houses and shops. Consequently, Christians by and large were forced to leave their homeland and migrated to distant places. These immigrant Christians were helped with love and affection of the then kings and chieftains. Christians were invited and given residence and help for building churches by Meenachil Karthas at Bharananganam , Alangadu King at Angamaly, Chembakassery King at Kudamaloor, Kochi King at Tripunithura, Parakkat chieftain at Koratti, Paliyathachan at Chendamangalam, Arakuzha Unniyathiri at Arakuzha. These kings and chieftains helped for building churches and all other things. According to history,Rathappillil family is one among those eight to ten families, which got immigrated from Kodungalloor to Arakuzha, following the invitation of Arakuzha Unniyathiri.
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