Kazoku is sometimes further divided into the following: Kuge kazoku that originated in kuge (court nobles); Daimyo kazoku (or Shoko kazoku) that originated in the lords of the domains in the Edo period; Shin kazoku (or Kunko kazoku) who were raised to the kazoku class due to their distinguished contributions to the nation; and Koshin kazoku who descended from the class of the Imperial family to the class of the subjects.
公家に由来する華族を公家華族、江戸時代の藩主に由来する華族を大名華族（諸侯華族）、国家への勲功により華族に加えられたものを新華族（勲功華族）、臣籍降下した元皇族を皇親華族、と区別することがある。