Jon Snow’s family tree is complex and central to the plot of A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones. In the books and show, he is revealed to be the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, making him the half-brother of Daenerys Targaryen and the nephew of the Stark children he grew up with.
Who Are Jon Snow’s Parents?
For most of the story, Jon is believed to be the bastard son of Eddard (Ned) Stark and an unknown woman. Ned brings Jon to Winterfell and raises him alongside his trueborn children, claiming Jon’s mother was a woman named Wylla. In the TV series, the truth is revealed in Season 7: Jon is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen, the crown prince of the Targaryen dynasty, and Lyanna Stark, Ned’s younger sister. They were secretly married, making Jon legitimate, and his real name is Aegon Targaryen. In the books, the exact nature of their union and Jon’s name remain unresolved, but the parentage is strongly implied through visions and prophecies.
The Stark Side of the Family
Lyanna Stark was the daughter of Rickard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and his wife Lyarra Stark. Rickard and Lyarra had four children: Brandon, Eddard, Lyanna, and Benjen. Brandon was the eldest and heir to Winterfell, but he was executed by the Mad King Aerys II Targaryen along with his father. This left Eddard to inherit the lordship. Lyanna died shortly after giving birth to Jon in the Tower of Joy in Dorne. Benjen joined the Night’s Watch and later disappeared beyond the Wall. Through Lyanna, Jon is the first cousin of Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon Stark. In the show, Jon is also revealed to be the nephew of Benjen, who helps him survive after his death.
The Targaryen Side of the Family
Rhaegar Targaryen was the eldest son of King Aerys II (the Mad King) and his sister-wife Rhaella. He had two children with his first wife, Elia Martell of Dorne: a daughter Rhaenys and a son Aegon. Both were killed during the Sack of King’s Landing by Gregor Clegane. Rhaegar’s marriage to Lyanna was bigamous by Targaryen standards, but the Targaryens had a tradition of polygamy. Rhaegar’s younger siblings were Viserys and Daenerys. Thus, Jon is Daenerys’s nephew, though in the show they become romantically involved before learning the truth. In the books, Daenerys is still in Essos and has not met Jon as of the last published novel.
How Jon’s Identity Is Revealed
In the TV series, the reveal comes through a combination of Bran Stark’s visions and Samwell Tarly’s research at the Citadel. Bran sees the wedding of Rhaegar and Lyanna, and Sam discovers a record of their annulment and marriage. This proves Jon is legitimate. In the books, the truth is hinted at through the recurring phrase “promise me, Ned” spoken by Lyanna in Ned’s memories. Many readers suspect Howland Reed, the only other survivor of the Tower of Joy, knows the full story and may reveal it in the final books. The show’s version is more explicit, but the books leave room for interpretation.
Why Jon’s Parentage Matters
Jon’s parentage makes him a potential heir to the Iron Throne, as he is the son of the crown prince. In the show, this creates a conflict with Daenerys, who believes she is the rightful queen. His claim is stronger in the Targaryen succession, as Rhaegar was the heir before his death. Jon’s heritage also fulfills the prophecy of the Prince That Was Promised, which some characters believe is a person born of the line of Aerys and Rhaella. Additionally, his Stark blood gives him the ability to warg (in the books) and his Targaryen blood makes him fire-resistant, though this is not always consistent in the show. The revelation also explains why Ned Stark, an honorable man, would lie about Jon’s parentage to protect him from Robert Baratheon’s wrath.
Common Misconceptions
A common misconception is that Jon’s real name is Aegon in the books as well. In the show, Rhaegar names him Aegon, but in the books, Rhaegar already has a son named Aegon who was killed. It is unlikely he would reuse the name. Another misconception is that Jon and Daenerys are siblings; they are actually aunt and nephew. Some fans also believe Jon’s mother could be Ashara Dayne, a noblewoman from Starfall, but this is a red herring in the books. Finally, the show’s ending has Jon killing Daenerys and being exiled to the Night’s Watch, but the books have not reached that point, so the ending may differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jon Snow a Targaryen or a Stark?
Jon is both. He is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, so he has Targaryen and Stark blood. In the show, he is legitimized as a Targaryen, but he is also a Stark through his mother. His identity is often described as “the ice and fire” of the series’ title.
Who is Jon Snow’s real mother?
His real mother is Lyanna Stark, Ned Stark’s sister. She died shortly after giving birth to him at the Tower of Joy. Ned took Jon to Winterfell and claimed he was his bastard to protect him from Robert Baratheon, who would have killed any Targaryen heir.
Why did Ned Stark hide Jon’s identity?
Ned hid Jon’s identity to protect him from Robert Baratheon, who hated the Targaryens and would have killed Jon as a potential rival. Ned also wanted to keep his promise to Lyanna, who asked him to protect her son. He chose to raise Jon as his own bastard, which was a dishonorable lie but a merciful one.
Does Jon Snow have any siblings?
Jon has no full siblings. He has half-siblings: the Stark children (Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon) are his cousins, but he was raised as their brother. He also has two half-siblings from Rhaegar’s first marriage, Rhaenys and Aegon, but they were killed before Jon was born. Daenerys is his aunt, not his sister.
Is Jon Snow the rightful heir to the Iron Throne?
In the show, yes, because Rhaegar and Lyanna were married, making Jon legitimate. He is the son of the crown prince, so he comes before Daenerys in the Targaryen line of succession. However, the throne was taken by conquest, so many characters do not recognize Targaryen claims. In the books, the marriage is not confirmed, so his claim is uncertain.
What happens to Jon Snow at the end of the story?
In the TV series, Jon kills Daenerys to stop her tyranny and is imprisoned. He is then exiled to the Night’s Watch as a punishment, but he is later seen riding beyond the Wall with the Free Folk. In the books, the story is unfinished, and Jon’s fate is unknown, though he is stabbed by his own men at the end of A Dance with Dragons.
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