Being of the lineage of TAIRA no Sadamori from the Kanmu-Heishi (Taira clan), the Hojo clan identified itself as the descendants of TAIRA no Naokata; they are said to have taken the name "Hojo" when Tokikata was appointed to the position of suke (vice governor) for Izu Province and settled in Hojogo, Izu Province (present-day Izunokuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture).
桓武平氏・平貞盛の流れを汲む平直方の子孫を称し、時方のとき伊豆国となって伊豆国北条郷（現静岡県伊豆の国市）に土着し、北条氏を名乗ったという。