Goryu-shinto originally refers to only ninna-ji-goryu (omuro-goryu) of Ninna-ji Temple started by Priestly Imperial Prince Kakuho, however, later on, from ninna-ji-goryu, Goutain started daikaku-ji-goryu at Daikaku-ji Temple and Priestly Imperial Prince Shukaku started sanpo-in-goryu at Sanpoin at Daigo-ji Temple and, schools further branched from these schools such as jison-in-ryu, itoku-in-ryu, and shinjo-in-ryu were collectively called as goryu-shinto.
本来は覚法法親王を流祖とする仁和寺の仁和寺御流（御室御流）のみを指したが、後に仁和寺御流から後宇多院が大覚寺で大覚寺御流を、守覚法親王が醍醐寺三宝院で三宝院御流を創始し、更にこれらの流派から分かれた慈尊院流・威徳寺流・真乗院流などを総称して御流神道と称した。