According to the genealogical chart of the Chiba clan, "Chiba Taikeizu," Tokitane was supposed to be the third son of Naritane CHIBA; however, it is considered likely that he was instead the first son of Tanetsuna CHIBA (the first son of Naritane) in recent years (according to "Chibaken no Rekishi: Tshushi-hen Chusei" [The history of Chiba Prefecture: the general history of the medieval period]).
『千葉大系図』によれば、千葉成胤の3男とされてきたが、近年になって千葉胤綱（成胤長男）の長男とする見方が有力視されている（県史『千葉県の歴史通史編中世』）。