The clan originated during the Sengoku period (period of warring states in Japan) when Hirotsugu KAWAKATSU (Mitsuteru KAWAKATSU), the son and heir of Mimasaka no kami Hirouji SHIMODA, called himself Kawakatsu first (Hirouji had been a governor of Shimoda in Kuwata County in Tanba Province).
戦国時代(日本)、丹波国桑田郡下田の国人領主(美作守)であった下田広氏の嫡男、川勝広継（光照）のとき川勝を称したのが始まりだという。