Once upon a time, the ruler of this region wanted to build a fort. When he saw the Venpul bird (a white bird) circling a particular place, he decided to construct the fort there. It is believed that this might be the reason for naming the region as 'Venpukottai' (the tamil word kōttai means fort) which later came to be known as 'Vembakottai'. According to another tradition, this name is said to have originated because, at one time, a Nayak king rose in fury, waged war and destroyed this fort. In the inscriptions found in this region, this place was initially mentioned as 'Venpaikkudi', which later evolved into 'Venpaikkottai'. Vembakottai was an significant place during the rule of the Pandyas. The antiquity of this region dates back over 10,000 years, based on the discovery of ancient microlithic stone tools in the area. These findings, along with burial urns and fragments of Black and Red Ware pottery, suggest that people have lived here continuously for thousands of years. Remarkably, even fossilized elephant teeth have been unearthed here, adding to the rich historical significance of this place. h

A copper plate inscription dating back to the 16th century CE has been discovered in Vembakottai. The inscription records a resolution made by the Kambalathu Nayak lineage. Measuring 35 x 15 cm, the plate contains a total of 33 lines of text — 16 lines on the front and 17 lines on the back. This copper plate was issued in the year 1574 CE. A person named Aachirama Gownder, with the support of Madurai Veerappa Nayak and Nellai Athiveerarām Pandiyan, had been collecting community taxes (inavari) from the Kambala Gownders residing in the regions between Gundaru river, Thamirabarani river, Rameswaram, and Tenkasi. However, a certain Pulla Gownder from Vembakottai, contended this arrangement in the assembly (pandāram) of Athiveerarām Pandiyan, successfully halted the collection of this tax. In appreciation of his service, the Kambala Gownders within the aforementioned four boundaries assembled and resolved to reward him with a collection of 1,500 gold coins.This is the historical account recorded in the copper plate.