Although Edict No.44 of March 1875, had decreed that 'people may sign their names and titles with designations of their family's ranks, either kazoku, shizoku or heimin, in a prefecture,' an actual register of families had clear descriptions of kazoku and shizoku but no designation of heimin (Article 18 of the former Family Registration Law).
なお明治8年3月布告第44号には「人民署名肩書ハ何（府県）華族、士族、平民ト記載可致此旨布告候事」とあるが、旧戸籍簿には華族、士族は族称として明示するが、平民の称はこれを記載しなかった（旧戸籍法第18条）。