Although some sources state that they were of Arab origin, they were most likely of Persian origin, and were originally the mawla of the Tamim tribe. The family later claimed to be of noble Arab origin in order to raise their prestige.
Frye, R.N. (1975). "The Sāmānids". In Frye, R.N. (ed.). The Cambridge History of Iran, Volume 4: From the Arab Invasion to the Saljuqs. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 136–161. ISBN0-521-20093-8.