Okay, let's be real – trying to keep track of who's who in Game of Thrones is like trying to count grains of sand in Dorne. That first time I watched the show? Total mess. I spent half the time whispering "Wait, who's that again?" to my poor roommate. That's when I discovered the magic of a proper Game of Thrones family chart. Seriously, it changed everything.
If you're here, you probably feel that confusion too. Maybe you're rewatching House of the Dragon and realize you've forgotten half the Targaryen connections. Or perhaps you're diving into the books and need visual help. Whatever brought you, I get it. This guide fixes all that. We'll break down every major house with charts even your non-fan friends could understand, plus I'll show you exactly where to find the best visual resources.
Why You're Probably Struggling With Westerosi Families
George R.R. Martin didn't make this easy on us. Think about it:
- Massive character overload: Over 2,000 named characters across the books? Come on.
- Shared names everywhere: How many Aegon Targaryens have there been? Too many.
- Those messy family trees: Incest, secret marriages, illegitimate kids – the Targaryens alone need a flowchart.
- Constantly shifting alliances: Today's enemy is tomorrow's brother-in-law.
I remember trying to explain the Baratheon lineage to my mom during season one. Big mistake. Her face went blank when I mentioned Robert's "trueborn" vs. "bastard" children. Should've drawn her a diagram right then.
Quick Tip: Print out a GOT family chart before your next rewatch. Stick it on your fridge like I did. My roommate laughed until episode three hit – suddenly he was taking photos of it with his phone.
The Absolute Must-Know Houses (And Their Messy Histories)
Let's tackle the big players. These are the families you'll see constantly referenced in both show and books.
House Stark: The Winterfell Bunch
The Starks seem straightforward until you realize half their kids become supernatural beings. Here's the core family at series start:
| Character | Relation | Key Detail | Portrayed By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eddard "Ned" Stark | Lord of Winterfell | Warden of the North | Sean Bean |
| Catelyn Stark (née Tully) | Ned's wife | From Riverrun | Michelle Fairley |
| Robb Stark | Firstborn son | King in the North | Richard Madden |
| Sansa Stark | Eldest daughter | Married Tyrion & Ramsey | Sophie Turner |
| Arya Stark | Younger daughter | Faceless Man trainee | Maisie Williams |
| Bran Stark | Younger son | Becomes Three-Eyed Raven | Isaac Hempstead Wright |
| Rickon Stark | Youngest son | Killed by Ramsey Bolton | Art Parkinson |
| Jon Snow | Ned's "bastard" | Actually Aegon Targaryen | Kit Harington |
See how Jon's real parentage makes everything messy? That's why you need a visual family tree chart for Game of Thrones.
Personal opinion? The Stark kids' journeys hurt more when you see their innocent Winterfell beginnings on a chart. Bran's transformation from climby kid to emotionless oracle hits different.
House Lannister: All the Gold Can't Hide the Dysfunction
Ah, the Lannisters. Where do I even start? Tywin running the show like a mob boss, Cersei and Jaime's... special relationship, Tyrion being the black sheep. Their Game of Thrones family tree needs trigger warnings.
Weird thing I noticed rewatching – almost every major Lannister scene happens indoors. Golden castles, throne rooms, bed chambers. Makes you wonder about the symbolism.
| Character | Relation | Notable Trait | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tywin Lannister | Family Patriarch | Ruthless strategist | Killed by Tyrion |
| Joanna Lannister | Tywin's wife | Died in childbirth | Deceased pre-series |
| Cersei Lannister | Tywin's daughter | Twincest with Jaime | Killed in Red Keep collapse |
| Jaime Lannister | Tywin's son | "Kingslayer" | Died with Cersei |
| Tyrion Lannister | Tywin's son | Dwarfish intellect | Became Hand to Bran |
| Joffrey Baratheon | Cersei's son | Actually Jaime's son | Poisoned at wedding |
| Myrcella Baratheon | Cersei's daughter | Actually Jaime's daughter | Poisoned in Dorne |
| Tommen Baratheon | Cersei's son | Actually Jaime's son | Suicide after Margaery's death |
That incestuous twist makes their family chart crucial. Without it, Joffrey's "Baratheon" claim makes zero sense.
The Targaryen Family Tree: Fire, Blood, and Incest
Okay, deep breath. This house gives me headaches. Their whole "keep the bloodline pure" thing means family trees look like pretzels. Daenerys is actually Jon Snow's aunt? Yeah, wrap your head around that.
Best way to understand? Draw it out. Here's the simplified version you'll want to bookmark:
- Aerys II "The Mad King" (Daenerys' father) + Rhaella (his sister-wife)
- Their children:
- Rhaegar (killed by Robert) + Elia Martell → children Rhaenys & Aegon (killed)
- Rhaegar + Lyanna Stark → Jon Snow/Aegon Targaryen
- Viserys (crowned with molten gold)
- Daenerys "Mother of Dragons" (killed by Jon)
See why fans need charts? The Jon-Dany reveal changes everything. I argued with my friend for weeks about Jon's parents before seeing it mapped.
Watch Out For: House of the Dragon adds another layer. Now you've got Viserys I, Rhaenyra, Daemon Targaryen... suddenly that Game of Thrones family tree chart becomes essential viewing equipment.
Where to Find Actually Useful Game of Thrones Family Charts
Not all charts are created equal. Some free ones online are outdated or missing key connections. Here's what I've tested:
| Resource | Type | Cost | Best For | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The "Complete Guide to Westeros" Book | Hardcover | $35 | Gorgeous full-color foldouts | Heavy, not portable |
| Ice and Fire Wiki Family Trees | Website | Free | Most detailed (book/show toggle) | Overwhelming for new fans |
| HBO's Official Interactive Guide | Web/Mobile App | Free | Show-accurate with episode filters | Minor book spoilers |
| Etsy "House Sigils" Printable Charts | Digital Download | $7-$15 | Beautiful wall art quality | Not always updated |
| Reddit User-Made Flowcharts | Image Files | Free | Hilarious & surprisingly accurate | Quality varies wildly |
My personal pick? The official HBO guide during watches, and the "Complete Guide" book for deep dives. That Etsy art looks great framed though – saw one above a friend's gaming setup.
Why Paid Resources Sometimes Beat Free Charts
Okay, controversial take: that $35 book? Worth every penny if you're a hardcore fan. Free online charts often have:
- Outdated Jon Snow parentage theories
- Missing House of the Dragon connections
- Typos in Valyrian names (seen "Targeryen" too often)
- No distinction between book vs. show canon
Meanwhile, the official book has:
- Color-coded marriage/affair lines
- Notes on historical conflicts between houses
- Minor houses like Mormont and Reed included
- Beautiful illustrated sigils
Still, if you're casual, HBO's free app works fine. But for true nerds? Invest in quality visuals.
Secondary Houses That Deserve Your Attention
Nobody cares about House Tully until the Red Wedding happens. Then suddenly everyone's scrambling to understand Catelyn's family ties. Don't be that person.
House Baratheon: More Than Just Robert
Their family drama started the whole war. Robert's "children" weren't his, Stannis was bitter, Renly wanted the crown... it's Shakespearean.
Key relationships simplified:
- Robert married Cersei Lannister → had zero real kids
- Robert had countless bastards → Gendry Waters most important
- Stannis → wife Selyse → daughter Shireen (tragic burning victim)
- Renly → married Margaery Tyrell (despite being gay)
Without this context, Melisandre's whole Lord of Light schtick makes less sense.
House Greyjoy: Pirates with Daddy Issues
Balon Greyjoy might be the worst dad in Westeros (high bar). His kids:
- Theon → raised by Starks → identity crisis → torture victim
- Yara/Asha → badass sea commander
- Euron → psychotic pirate uncle (not Balon's son)
Their family tree is smaller but vital for understanding naval conflicts.
House Martell: Dorne's Deadly Dynasty
Oberyn Martell alone makes them memorable. But their revenge plot against the Lannisters? Chef's kiss.
- Prince Doran → cautious ruler
- Elia Martell → married Rhaegar Targaryen → murdered
- Oberyn "Red Viper" → killed by the Mountain
- Oberyn's daughters: The Sand Snakes
Their absence in later seasons hurt. Book readers know there's more depth.
Solving Your Biggest Game of Thrones Family Chart Questions
Let's tackle common headaches fans encounter:
Why do Targaryens marry siblings?
Valyrian tradition. They believed incest kept dragon-riding abilities "pure." Frankly, it mostly kept the crazy genes circulating. Aerys II ("Mad King") is exhibit A.
Is Jon Snow related to Daenerys?
Yep, and it's awkward. Rhaegar Targaryen (Dany's older brother) is Jon's dad. So Dany is Jon's aunt. That boat scene? Now imagine them with a family tree diagram between them.
How are the Starks and Targaryens connected?
Two ways: 1) Lyanna Stark (Ned's sister) secretly married Rhaegar → Jon Snow. 2) Way back, a Targaryen princess married into the Starks (mentioned in lore).
Why are Lannisters blonde but Baratheons dark?
Massive plot point! All Baratheon lineage shows dominant dark hair. So when Cersei's "Baratheon" kids had blonde hair? Proof they were Jaime's. Ned Stark figured it out using... wait for it... a family history book. Charts solve crimes!
Are the White Walkers related to anyone?
According to lore, the Night King was originally a Stark (or First Man). Show hints he was turned at a Stark-like altar. Books suggest he might be a legendary figure called the Night's King who married a White Walker. No clear family chart connection yet.
Pro Tips for Using Your Family Chart Like a Maester
Watching with friends? Be the chart master they need:
- Bookmark HBO's Guide During Viewing: Their "avoid spoilers" toggle is genius. I keep it open on my tablet.
- Print Key Charts for Group Watches: Tape major house trees to your wall. Saved my viewing party during Season 6 confusion.
- Focus on Connections, Not Just Names: Note who betrayed whom. Littlefinger's web of lies makes sense when mapped.
- Cross-Reference with Histories & Lore: HBO's Blu-ray extras explain house origins. Pair those with your charts.
Trust me, when Oberyn mentioned "Elia Martell" angrily, half my group nodded blankly. The half with my printed chart? They gasped.
Personal Recommendation? Start with just the Stark-Lannister-Baratheon triangle in Season 1. Then add Targaryens in Season 2. Trying to absorb every house at once is like drinking from a firehose. I learned that the hard way during my obsessive "catch-up weekend" that gave me actual lore headaches.
Final Thoughts: Why This Matters Beyond Nerdy Fun
Look, Game of Thrones isn't just battles and dragons. It's about how family legacies shape wars. Tywin's parenting created kingslayers and queens. Ned Stark's honor got him killed but saved Jon. Daenerys' bloodline gave her dragons but also madness.
A solid Game of Thrones family chart transforms the experience. Scenes hit differently when you realize Jaime pushed Bran because that boy could expose his secret kids. Or that Jon executing Daenerys has echoes of Jaime killing the Mad King.
Invest time in understanding these connections. Grab a reliable chart from the resources above. Your next rewatch will feel like a whole new story – I promise. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to settle an argument about whether Robert Baratheon's grandmother was really a Targaryen... time to break out the big chart.
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