The generation of Morisada NAITO served the Ouchi family, but from the mid-Muromachi period onwards, members of the clan were appointed as shugodai of Nagato province in place of the Washizu family.
内藤盛貞の代に大内氏に仕え、室町時代中期以降は鷲頭氏に代わって長門国の守護代を務めた。