Among the families of the Ashikaga clan, the Owari Ashikaga clan was as influential as the main branch of the family, Mikawa Ashikaga clan (later to become the Kira clan) and served as an alternative family head of the main branch of the Ashikaga clan when the family head was still young.
尾張足利氏は足利氏一門の中でも、嫡流、三河足利氏（後の吉良氏）、と並び称される勢威のあった家で、足利氏本宗家当主が幼少の時は代役を務めている。