Originally, Mandokoro indicated a household-handling organization (an office handling private affairs concerning the family and residence) whose establishment was permitted only for imperial princes and kugyo (top court officials) who held the rank of Sanmi (the third rank) or higher.
政所とは、本来親王や三位以上の公卿に設置が許された家政機関（家庭や邸宅に関する私的な諸事を司る事務所）のことを指す語だった。