Which came first Ninja or samurai?

Samurai emerged first in Japanese history, with their roots tracing back to the Heian period (794-1185), serving as warrior nobility. Ninjas, or shinobi, developed later, primarily during the Sengoku period (1467-1603), as covert agents specializing in espionage and guerrilla tactics. While both played significant roles in Japan's feudal society, the samurai predates the ninja by several centuries.