Across the sprawling fictional histories of Martin’s Westeros, lineages are the scaffolding of politics, war, and legacy. This guide maps the most influential houses and their core relationships, emphasizing how marriage, inheritance, and bastardy shape power. It focuses on established canon: main families, pivotal generations, and enduring patterns rather than speculative branches. Use it as a durable reference to trace claims, alliances, and conflicts. Bloodlines determine succession, alliances, identity, and enmity, making every connection a potential pivot point in the saga.
The Targaryen Dynasty
House Targaryen ruled the Seven Kingdoms for nearly three centuries before Robert’s Rebellion shattered their reign. Based in Dragonstone, they trace descent from ancient Valyria and are defined by their dragons, endogamous traditions, and belief in their divine right to rule. Aegon I and his sisters forged the realm; later rulers include Jaehaerys, Viserys I, Aerys II, and Daenerys. Their sigil is a red three-headed dragon on black, with the words “Fire and Blood.” Key tensions involve exile, reclaimed legitimacy, and the burden of prophecy.
Core Targaryen Bloodline
- Aegon I Targaryen (conquest) ➜ children: Aenys I, Maegor I
- Viserys I Targaryen ➜ children: Rhaenyra, Aegon II
- Rhaenyra Targaryen (claimed by the Blacks) ➜ adult children: Jacaerys, Lucerys, Joffrey
- Daemon Targaryen ➜ children by Rhaenyra: Aegon III, Viserys II
- Aegon V Targaryen ➜ children: Jaehaerys II, Maester Aemon, Daeron
- Viserys Targaryen (the exiled) ➜ daughter: Daenerys
House Stark of Winterfell
Starks have governed the North since the Age of Heroes, serving as Wardens of the North. Their history blends legend and recorded oaths, rooted in Winterfell and the sacred bond with direwolves. The line endures through Eddard, Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon. Their motto is “Winter is Coming,” and their words are “The lone wolf dies, but the pack survives.” Loyalty, ancestral duty, and resistance to southern politics define them.
Key Stark Generations
- Brandon the Builder ➜ centuries before Targaryen conquest
- Lord Eddard Stark ➜ children: Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, Rickon
- Bran Stark (Three-Eyed Raven) ➜ no direct heirs in narrative
- Rickon Stark ➦ later lines remain unconfirmed in canon
House Lannister of Casterly Rock
Lannisters claim descent from Lann the Clever and are among the wealthiest and most politically agile houses. They ruled the Westerlands for millennia and produced many monarchs, including Tywin and Cersei’s line. Their sigil is a golden lion on crimson, with the words “Hear Me Roar!” Notable traits include formidable legal acumen, ruthless pragmatism, and complex incestuous bonds shaping the bloodline.
Core Lannister Lineage
- Lann the Clever (legendary founder)
- Tywin Lannister ➜ children: Cersei, Jaime, Tyrion
- Jaime Lannister ➜ children: Joffrey, Myrcella, Tommen (with Cersei)
- Tyrion Lannister ➜ no children in canon
House Baratheon and Usurpation
Baratheons gained the throne after Robert’s Rebellion, marrying Targaryen blood into their line. The house fractured into competing branches after Stannis and Renly’s deaths. Orys Baratheon, rumored to be Aegon the Conqueror’s half-brother, founded the line. Their sigil is a crowned black stag on gold, with words “Ours is the Fury.” Conflicts often center on legitimacy, succession disputes, and the tension between fury and duty.
Major Baratheon Figures
- Orys Baratheon (legendary founder)
- Robert Baratheon ➜ children: Joffrey, Myrcella, Tommen
- Stannis Baratheon ➜ daughter: Shireen
- Renly Baratheon ➜ no surviving children in narrative
Other Central Houses and Lineage Patterns
Beyond the great houses, lineages like Arryn, Tyrell, Greyjoy, and Martell shape the geopolitical mosaic. Some houses rely on strategic marriages, adoption, and fostered children to extend influence. Bastardy and legitimization introduce volatility: key figures like Jon Snow and Gendry illustrate how uncertain origins redirect destiny. Marriages across houses bind rivals and create fragile alliances, while succession crises expose how dependent legitimacy is on blood and belief.
Verification and Canonical Scope
The lineages below reflect George R. R. Martin’s published works and the television show’s established canon up to its final season. No valuation figures, market prices, or monetization metrics apply to fictional lineages; only narrative roles and documented relations are considered.
Illustrative Lineage Comparison
| House | Heir(s) in Narrative | Founding Claim / Notable Relation | Sigil | Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Targaryen | Viserys III, Aegon VII (potential) | Valyrian descent; dragonlord legacy | Red three-headed dragon on black | Fire and Blood |
| Stark | Bran Stark (understood role) | Wardens of the North; ancient lineage | Grey direwolf on white | Winter is Coming |
| Lannister | Tommen II (ended), Tyrion no heirs | Lann the Clever; wealth and royal marriages | Golden lion on crimson | Hear Me Roar! |
| Baratheon | No clear heir; Shireen deceased | Orys, rumored half-brother of Aegon | Crowned black stag on gold | Ours is the Fury |
| Tyrell | Loras and Margaery (deceased) | Strategic marriages; Reach wealth | Growing Strong |
Strategic Takeaways for Lineage Tracking
- Legitimacy usually follows recognized succession within marriage.
- Bastardy can be remade through legitimization, but rarely erases stigma entirely.
- Marriage across rival houses often creates temporary alliances rather than lasting peace.
- Claims to throne rely on both blood and the perception of rightful rule.
- Loss of heirs typically triggers contestation, whether through war, council, or prophecy.
Conclusion
Understanding the Targaryen family tree and wider Westerosi lineages is essential for interpreting motivations, succession struggles, and alliances. This overview tracks major houses through established canon, highlighting how blood, marriage, and legitimacy shape the story. Use it as a stable reference while tracing how each generation’s choices echo into the next.
References
- George R. R. Martin, A Song of Ice and Fire (canonical books).
- HBO, Game of Thrones (television series) — established canon through Season 8.
Tags
family tree, targaryen, house stark, house lannister