Before the Meiji era, the term "kazoku華族" indicated "Seigake清華家" (族 and 家 mean 'family', 清 means 'pure', and 華 means 'flower') which was the second noblest family status next to Sekke (family status of the families of regents and top Imperial advisers) among kuge (noble families).
明治以前まで使用されていた『華族』は公家の家格を表す名称で、摂家に次ぐ第二位の家格『清華家』の別称であった。