In Shinpachi NAGAKURA's "Doshi Renmeiki" (nominal list of the Shinsengumi) and in the "Fubungaki" (report of rumor), which was written when he was in Kyoto, Heisuke TODO is described as an illegitimate child of Takayuki TODO, the lord of Tsu Domain, Ise Province, but the truth is unknown.
永倉新八の同志連名記、及び京都在留当時の風聞書によれば、伊勢国・津藩主藤堂高猷の落胤といわれているが真相は不明。