There is a theory that the Azai clan was a local ruling family and a descendent of a family, whose origin was gunji (a district manager) or in a similar social class in Omi Province, although the clan proclaimed that its honsei (original name) was of the Fujiwara clan.
本姓は藤原氏を称するが、近江の在地豪族、郡司クラスの末裔とする説がある。