This is one of the four Kanmu-Heishi lineages followed by the two well-known lineages: the Prince Takamune lineage of court nobles which originates from Prince Takamune, the first son of the Imperial Prince Kazurawara who was named TAIRA no Takamune on demotion from the Imperial family; and the Prince Takamochi lineage of samurai families which originates from Prince Takamochi, a son of the Prince Takami (the third son of the Imperial Prince Kazurawara) who was named TAIRA no Takamochi on demotion from the Imperial family.
桓武平氏四流のうちの一つであり、葛原親王流には葛原親王の長男高棟王が臣籍降下し平高棟となった公家の高棟王流と、三男の高見王ととも高見王の子高望王が臣籍降下し平高望となった武家の高望王流の二流が知られる。