Karnavar is also a surname for some aristocratic Nair families in and around Budhanur, Chengannur, Kerala, India, all branches of the same original family at Budhanur. One legend is that it was conferred by Marthanda Varma the King of Travancore. While consolidating his newly found Kingdom of Thiruvithamkur (Travancore), the nephew Rama Varma (later Dharma Raja) and sister of Marthanda Varma were passing through the said area under the protection of Vattaparambil Valiathan and were attacked by the people of the Ettuveetil Pillamar. Marthanda Varma's brother in law and other fighters lost their life but the sister, the Rani of Attingal, and her son escaped and ran through the fields ("Budhanoor padam")where they met an aristocratic Nair family man who was managing farming in the field. He addressed the man as "Karnavar" and asked for his help. He helped them by protecting him and informed the nearby King's ally known as Aaruveetil Madampimar who in turn informed the Vakkavanjipuzha Madhom, the head of which, known as the Vanjipuzha Thampuran, was an ally of Marthanda Varma. Eventually Rama Varma endowed him with riches and the hereditary surname of "Karnavar" when he became the Maharajah.