There were sixteen Chieftains of the Dúnedain. After the death of Arvedui, the kingdoms of both Arnor and of Arthedain were no more, so his son and heir, Aranarth, took instead the title of Chieftain.

This title was passed down in direct succession from Aranarth to Aragorn. The Chieftains were the direct descendants of Isildur, the eldest son of Elendil, who together with Anárion and many of their people, escaped the Downfall of Númenor to make new settlements of the Númenóreans in Middle-earth.

The Chieftains ceased to be after the War of the Ring, when Aragorn became the King of both Gondor and Arnor, reuniting the Númenórean realms of old.