The name Jimyoin-to came from the Buddhist temple built in his palace by FUJIWARA no Motoyori, a general of Chinjufu; it was called Jimyoin, and the entire family was called the Jimyoin-to Family.
持明院統という名称は、鎮守府将軍藤原基頼が邸内に持仏堂を創設し、これを持明院と名づけ、その一家を持明院家と称したことに端を発する。