The Minamoto clan, which refers to a clan who carries Minamoto as surname, was given by the Emperor Saga to his children to honor their having originated from the Imperial Family.
源氏は源の姓を持つ氏族であるが、嵯峨天皇が生まれた子らにその姓を与え、皇室と祖を同じくするという名誉の意味をこめて与えた。