In the 3rd to 5th centuries, it was used as a title to represent military and administrative officers of the Yamato court.
It was given to the descendants of the kami (神別, shinbetsu), who held the Muraji title, such as Owari and Ōtomo clans.
In the past, the kanji writing form used for Sukune was "足尼" or "足禰".
The oldest known usage of Sukune is on the ancient Inariyama Sword with the inscription "多加利足尼".
In Kokuzō Hongi, a book about the genealogy of Kuni-no-Miyatsuko families, there are over 20 Yamato court officials with the Sukune title.