Takauji's father Sadauji and his official wife Shakado, daughter of Akitoki HOJO, had the first son Takayoshi ASHIKAGA, but he died early and Takauji succeeded to his father.
父・貞氏とその正室・釈迦堂（北条顕時の娘）との間に長男・足利高義がいたが、早世したため高氏が家督を相続することとなった。