The aimyo (大名, daimyō?) (daimyō (help·info)) were the most powerful feudal rulers from the 10th century to the early 19th century in Japan following the Shogun. Though the term "daimyo" literally means "great name," the Japanese word actually comes from the words dai, meaning "large," and myo (shortened from myoden) meaning "name-land" or "private land." From the shugo of the Muromachi period through the sengoku to the daimyo of the Edo period, the rank had a long and varied history. The term "daimyo" is also sometimes used to refer to the leading figures of such clans, also called "lord". It was usually, though not exclusively, from these warlords that a shogun arose or a regent was chosen.