The ten ancient gotras of Kerala were the 10 Brahmin families brought by Parashurama after creating the land of Kerala. The ten gotras were
- Bharadwaja
- Kaushika
- Valsyam
- Kaundinam
- Kashyapa
- Vasishta
- Jamadagni
- Vishwamitra
- Gautama
- Atreya
Gotra means that which is famous. Each gotra had their own rituals and rules.
The meaning of gotra here is clan. It is believed that the clans were started famous rishis and it later came to be known after them. The first father of a particular gotra is particular rishi. There were 49 such gotras in ancient India as per Hindu scriptures.
Information about Gotras are found in Rig Veda, Aitareya Brahmana, Vayu Purana, Manu Smriti, Srimad Bhagavat Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Harivamsa, and Kathasaritsagara.