The Sanjo family belonged to the Seiga family, which was second in terms of social standing only to the Sekkan families (the five families of the Fujiwara clan who were entitled to hold the position of Sekkan [regent]), and the highest position a member of this family could attain was Daijo-daijin (Grand minister of state).
三条家は清華家の一つで、摂関家に次ぐ家柄であり極官は太政大臣。