The Kikuchi clan proclaimed itself that the family originated from that FUJIWARA no Noritaka, the grandson of FUJIWARA no Takaie of Fujiwara-hokke, Dazai no gon no sochi, who came down to Higo Province and settled himself there.
菊池氏は、刀伊入寇に戦功のあった藤原北家大宰権帥藤原隆家の孫藤原則隆が肥後国に下向して土着したと自称した。