It is frequently used to refer to those samurai who were direct vassals of the shogun, but also came to be used to refer to retainers of daimyo (feudal lords) during the Warring States period (Japan).
御家人は将軍直参の武士の身分を示す用語としてしばしば用いられ、戦国時代(日本)には転じて戦国大名の家臣を指す言葉として使用されることもあった。