In some past and present Jewish communities, good yichus—meaning descent from a family of high reputation—is necessary for a person to be considered as a potential marriage partner.
Colloquially, the term refers to the chain of origin for a statement, creative work or object.
"[2] In the later rabbinic Hebrew, the last letter of the root changed from sin (ש) to samekh (ס), though the pronunciation and meaning remained unchanged.
[7] However, many rabbis disapproved of the concept of yichus, instead insisting on judging individuals based on their personal merits.
[22] Being the mechutan (מְחוּתָּן, father of one's child's spouse[26]) of a notable person is sometimes considered important enough to include in a wedding invitation and in giving other credentials.