There were situations in which skilled Gokenin were promoted to high positions usually held by Hatamoto (direct retainers), and it was generally the case that a gokenin family would be granted hatamoto status if three successive generations were appointed to hatamoto positions.
有能な御家人は旗本の就く上位の役職に登用されることもあり、原則として3代続けて旗本の役職に就任すれば、旗本の家格になりうる資格を得られた。