From the viewpoint of the ruling class, including territorial governors and manorial lords, they were part of the ruled class, while from the viewpoint of ordinary peasants, they were themselves rulers in village communities.
国司・荘園領主などの支配層から見れば、名主は支配される側、すなわち被支配者だったが、一般百姓らから見れば名主は現地における支配者だった。