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Gotram (singular: Gothram/Gotram; plural: Gothra/Gotra) indicates lineage in the Hindu Brahmin community. Each of the Gothra is named after a great ancient Rishi, to which every Hindu Brahmin can trace his/her lineage. If a Brahmin belongs to Gothram x, it means that he has descended through direct male line, from the Rishi x.
When a woman marries, she takes on her husband's Gothram. Sons possess their father's Gothram for life.
The Gothrams are common to both the Iyers and Iyengars. The most common of the Gothra is Bharadhwaja Gothram, to which Drona of the Mahabharatha belonged.
There are totally seven Gothrams in the south Indian Brahmin community:
Bharathwajam, Srivatsam, Naidhruvakashyabam, Athreyam, Koundiliyum, Kausigam, Shadamarshanam
Of these, those belonging to the Kausiga Gothram have the most interesting lineage. They have (supposedly) descended from the king, Kausiga who was defeated by the rishi Vasishta was angered that he renounced his kingdom and swore to become a brahmarishi himself. But these details deserve to be in an article of their own.