Besides this, also included as recognized heirs to the Tokugawa name are Ieyasu's offspring who are direct descendents (ie part of the family domain) and in particular, the three privileged branches of Tokugawa family (Owari Tokugawa family, Kishu Tokugawa family and Mito Tokugawa family), the three branches of Tokugawa family (Tayasu Tokugawa family, Hitotsubashi Tokugawa family and Shimizu Tokugawa family) as well as their heirs and, individuals adopted into the family were also considered as part of Ieyasu's male lineage.
そのほかに徳川姓を許されるのは、家康直系の子孫（親藩）のうちでも特に徳川御三家（尾張徳川家・紀州徳川家・水戸徳川家）、御三卿（田安徳川家・一橋徳川家・清水徳川家）およびこれらの後嗣のみであり、これらの家に養子として入る者も家康の男系の子孫たちであった。