Since the late Heian period, when it became customary for the princes and princesses who were unrelated to the succession to become priests, the Minamoto clan who were direct descendant of the Imperial Family almost became extinct, although a new family (Hirohata family) came out in the Edo period.
平安時代後期以降、皇位継承とは関わりのない皇子皇女たちは出家する慣例が生まれたため、賜姓源氏はほとんど途絶えていたが、江戸時代に入って一家が生まれた（広幡家）。