Munetada was the eldest son of the Dainagon (chief councilor of state) FUJIWARA no Munetoshi, of the Fujiwara Northern House lineage of FUJIWARA no Michinaga's second son FUJIWARA no Yorimune; his mother was FUJIWARA no Sanetsuna's daughter.
藤原北家藤原道長の次男藤原頼宗流の大納言藤原宗俊の長男で母は藤原実綱の娘。