The family was founded by Michikata NAKANOIN, who was the fifth son of MINAMOTO no Michichika (Michichika TSUCHIMIKADO) who was a descendant of Imperial Prince Tomohira of the Emperor Murakami and worked as Naidaijin.
村上天皇の皇子具平親王の子孫で内大臣を務めた源通親（土御門通親）の五男、中院通方を祖として創設された。