In the Meiji Period, they required a peerage as legitimate descendant of the Ashikaga Shogun Family, but not only was it rejected but also they couldn't become even a Shizoku (warrior class), namely, their social status was just a Heimin (commoner) because they left Awa which had been their territory.
明治後、足利将軍家の正当な末裔として爵位を求めたが、領地であった阿波から離脱していたなどの理由をもって却下されたうえ士族にさえ成れず、平民身分とされた。