What Gotra Is the Singh Surname?
Singh (सिंह, siṃha) is one of the most widely shared surnames in India and South Asia, and it is the clearest example of a name that does not map to a single Gotra (गोत्र, gotra). The word means "lion," and it is a title of valour adopted by many different communities, Rajputs, Jats, many Sikhs, and others, who are unrelated by descent. So there is no "Singh Gotra." What your family carries depends on which community and lineage you come from.
This guide explains the title and how to find the actual lineage marker your family uses.
Why Singh is a title, not a lineage
A Gotra is a patrilineal line traced to a founding Rishi (ऋषि), passed from father to child unchanged. Singh, by contrast, is an honorific. Rajput rulers used it for centuries; in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh gave "Singh" to all initiated male Sikhs of the Khalsa; and many agrarian communities adopted it as well. Because the title cuts across castes and regions, it tells you almost nothing about Gotra on its own. The difference between these layers of identity is covered in Gotra and caste and in what a Gotra is.
What different Singh families actually use
- Rajput families often identify by vansh (dynasty) and clan, such as the great solar and lunar lineages, alongside Gotras. The warrior-clan system is described in our Kshatriya Gotra list.
- Jat families typically identify by got (clan), a parallel exogamous system; the got, rather than a classical Rishi-Gotra, usually governs marriage rules.
- Sikh families carry Singh as a Khalsa name; many also retain an ancestral clan or got, while religious practice de-emphasises caste identity.
So the first step is to know which community your family belongs to, then ask which clan, got or Gotra it uses.
How to find your family's Gotra or clan
- Ask elders for the community, the clan or got name, and the mool (ancestral village).
- Ask your family priest if your family observes Gotra in ceremonies.
- Use the Gotra Finder and the Surname Directory to explore associations by community and region.
Once you have it, record your lineage on a free Heritage Card so the clan, got or Gotra is preserved for your children.
Marriage and the clan rule
Whether your family follows Rishi-Gotra exogamy or clan/got exogamy, the principle is similar: marriage within the same lineage group is traditionally avoided. The logic is explained in why same-Gotra marriage is prohibited. For a Singh family, identify the relevant clan or Gotra first, because the shared surname is not the unit that matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a single Singh Gotra? No. Singh is a title used by Rajputs, Jats, many Sikhs and others. These families belong to many different clans and Gotras.
Do Sikhs have Gotras? Many Sikh families retain an ancestral clan or got, though Sikh religious teaching de-emphasises caste. Practice varies by family.
How do Jat families decide marriage if they use Singh? Jats generally use the got (clan) system for exogamy rather than the classical Rishi-Gotra. Ask elders for your got.
How do I find my Rajput lineage? Start with the vansh and clan name from your elders, then explore the warrior-clan traditions in the Kshatriya Gotra list.
Whatever your community, capture your clan, got or Gotra and your family tree on a free Heritage Card before the details are lost.