Gautam (clan)

The Gautam is a Rajput clan found primarily in north region of Indian subcontinent.^[1][2] The erstwhile head of Gautam Rajputs had also claimed himself to be descendant of the Shakyas^[3] thus possibly giving an alternate origin for this clan.

They are primarily found in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, along with Rajasthan and Gujarat.^[4][5]

The clan name Gautam means "descendant of Gautam or one who has most light", "Gautama" meaning "one who has the most light,"^[6] and may indicate the possibility of Kshatriya clans adopting the Brahminical gotra of their purohit.^{[7][need quotation to verify]}