Although the location is sometimes identified with an ancient settlement mentioned by Yaqut and Al-Hamadani known as Ghabra, the history of Diriyah proper dates back to the 15th century. According to the chroniclers of Nejd, the city was founded in 1446-47 by Mani' Al-Muraydi (), an ancestor of the Saudi royal family. Mani and his clan had come from the area of Al-Qatif in eastern Arabia, upon the invitation of Ibn Dir' (), who was then the ruler of a group of settlements that now make up Riyadh. Ibn Dir' is said to have been a relative of Mani' Al-Mraydi, and Mani's clan is believed to have left the area of Wadi Hanifa at some unknown date and were merely returning to their country of origin.