The Kira clan was considered as the most distinguished noble family among the Ashikaga clan, and the Kira clan held the family status as Renshi (noble sibling) with the Imagawa family, a branch of the Kira family.
吉良氏は足利一門において名門中の名門とされ、分家の今川家とともに足利将軍家の連枝としての家格を有した。