The Tanegashima clan belonged to the Shimazu clan since the period of the Northern and Southern Courts (Japan), and Tokitaka was the 14th feudal lord of the Tanegashima clan (the lord of the island).
種子島氏は南北朝時代(日本)から島津氏に属し、時尭は種子島氏の第十四代領主（島主）。