The clan claims descent from the
Fujiwara clan, specifically
Fujiwara no Yoshikado, who was a
daijō-daijin during the 9th century.
Kanjūji Shigefusa was a 13th generation descendant of the clan's great progenitor and the originator of the clan's name. Near the end of the 13th century, he received the
Uesugi domain in
Tango Province and adopted the name "Uesugi" after arriving and establishing himself there.
Meiji period and modern era The
Meiji Restoration in 1868 brought the abolition of the
han system, that is, the end of the domains, the feudal lords, and the samurai class. During this period, the head of the clan was
Uesugi Mochinori. While the
han system ended, the Uesugi clan survives to this day. Its present head,
Uesugi Kuninori (born 1942), is a professor at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Ministry of Education. ==Crests and banners==