The Muromachi period dictionary "Setsuyoshu" listed the two pronunciations 'taimei' and 'daimyo,' the former meaning a Shugo (a major feudal lord), and the latter meaning a wealthy person (the wealthy class).
室町時代の辞書『節用集』には、「たいめい」・「だいみょう」の2音を載せ、前者は守護（大領主）、後者は銭持（富裕層）の意であるとした。