The Stark family tree is the lineage of the noble House Stark of Winterfell, the principal protagonists in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones. The core family consists of Lord Eddard Stark, his wife Catelyn Tully, and their five children—Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon—along with Eddard’s bastard son Jon Snow, whose true parentage is revealed to be Rhaegar Targaryen’s son, Aegon Targaryen.
Origins and the First Men
House Stark traces its roots back to the First Men, who crossed the land bridge from Essos thousands of years before the events of the series. According to legend, the founder of the house was Brandon the Builder, who raised the Wall in the far north and built Winterfell. The Starks ruled as Kings in the North for millennia, until Aegon Targaryen’s conquest of Westeros. Torrhen Stark, the King in the North, bent the knee to Aegon and was named Warden of the North, a title that the Starks held for generations.
In the novels, the Stark words are “Winter is Coming,” and their sigil is a grey direwolf on a white field. The family’s ancestral sword, Ice, was forged from Valyrian steel and passed down through generations. The Starks are known for their strong sense of honor, their connection to the old gods of the forest, and their warging abilities, which manifest in some members of the family, particularly Bran and Arya.
The Main Line: Eddard and Catelyn
Lord Eddard “Ned” Stark, the head of the family at the start of the series, is the second son of Rickard Stark. His older brother Brandon was betrothed to Catelyn Tully, but Brandon was killed by the Mad King Aerys II Targaryen. Ned then married Catelyn in his brother’s place. The couple had five children:
- Robb Stark – The eldest son, who becomes King in the North during the War of the Five Kings. He marries Jeyne Westerling (in the books) or Talisa Maegyr (in the show), breaking a marriage pact with House Frey, leading to the Red Wedding.
- Sansa Stark – The eldest daughter, who is married to Tyrion Lannister (in the books) and later to Ramsay Bolton (in the show). She eventually becomes Queen in the North.
- Arya Stark – The younger daughter, who trains as a Faceless Man in Braavos and returns to Westeros to avenge her family. She kills the Night King in the show.
- Bran Stark – The second son, who becomes the Three-Eyed Raven and is eventually crowned King of the Six Kingdoms (in the show).
- Rickon Stark – The youngest son, who is killed by Ramsay Bolton at the Battle of the Bastards.
Eddard also had an illegitimate son, Jon Snow, whom he brought to Winterfell and raised alongside his trueborn children. Jon’s mother was believed to be a woman named Wylla, but it is later revealed that his true mother is Lyanna Stark, Ned’s sister, making him Eddard’s nephew, not his son.
Jon Snow’s True Parentage
One of the biggest revelations in the series is that Jon Snow is not Eddard’s bastard but the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Lyanna was kidnapped (or eloped) with Rhaegar, and their union produced a son named Aegon Targaryen, later called Jon Snow. Ned Stark raised him as his own to protect him from Robert Baratheon, who would have killed him as a Targaryen heir. Jon’s true identity makes him a potential claimant to the Iron Throne, with a stronger claim than Daenerys Targaryen, as Rhaegar was the eldest son of the Mad King.
In the books, the exact circumstances of Jon’s birth are hinted at through the series of visions in the House of the Undying and the Tower of Joy flashbacks. The show confirms that Lyanna made Ned promise to protect her son from Robert’s wrath. Jon’s parentage is a central plot point that affects his relationships and his claim to the throne.
Historical Starks and the Family Tree
The Stark family tree extends far beyond the main characters. Key historical figures include:
- Brandon the Builder – The legendary founder of House Stark, who raised the Wall and built Winterfell.
- Torrhen Stark – The King in the North who bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror, earning the title Warden of the North.
- Cregan Stark – Known as the Old Man of the North, he was Hand of the King during the Dance of the Dragons and played a significant role in the aftermath.
- Rickard Stark – Eddard’s father, who was killed by the Mad King along with his eldest son Brandon.
- Lyanna Stark – Eddard’s sister, whose abduction by Rhaegar Targaryen triggered Robert’s Rebellion.
- Benjen Stark – Eddard’s younger brother, who joined the Night’s Watch and later disappeared beyond the Wall.
The Stark lineage is also connected to other noble houses through marriage and alliance. Catelyn Tully’s marriage to Eddard linked the Starks to House Tully of the Riverlands. Sansa’s marriages to Tyrion Lannister and Ramsay Bolton (in the show) connect the Starks to the Lannisters and the Boltons, though these are mostly political and often hostile.
Common Misconceptions
A frequent misconception is that Jon Snow is Eddard’s biological son. While Ned treats Jon as his own, the truth is that Jon is his nephew. Another misconception is that the Stark children all have warging abilities. In the books, all six Stark children are wargs, but the show only explicitly shows Bran’s ability and hints at Arya’s. The show also simplifies the family tree by omitting several historical Starks and merging certain characters.
Another common question is whether the Starks are related to the Targaryens. Through Jon Snow, the two houses are connected, but this is a recent development. Historically, the Starks and Targaryens intermarried only rarely, and the Targaryens were seen as foreign conquerors by many Northerners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the parents of Jon Snow?
Jon Snow’s parents are Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. His father was the crown prince of the Targaryen dynasty, and his mother was Eddard Stark’s sister. Ned Stark took Jon in and claimed him as a bastard to protect him from Robert Baratheon’s vengeance.
Are all Stark children wargs?
In the novels, all six Stark children—Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, Rickon, and Jon—are wargs, meaning they can enter the minds of animals. The show only explicitly depicts Bran’s ability, though Arya’s warging is hinted at in the books. Sansa’s wolf, Lady, died early, which may have hindered her development.
Why did Ned Stark keep Jon Snow’s parentage a secret?
Ned kept Jon’s true parentage a secret to protect him from Robert Baratheon, who would have killed any Targaryen heir to the throne. Ned also promised his dying sister Lyanna that he would keep Jon safe, and he chose to raise him as his own bastard, accepting the shame to save the boy’s life.
Who becomes the ruler of the North at the end of the series?
In the television series, Bran Stark is crowned King of the Six Kingdoms, and Sansa Stark is declared Queen in the North, as the North secedes from the Seven Kingdoms. In the books, the story is incomplete, so the final outcome is not yet known.
Is the Stark family tree based on real history?
No, the Stark family tree is entirely fictional, created by George R.R. Martin. It draws inspiration from English history, particularly the Wars of the Roses, but the Starks themselves are not based on any real family.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
House Stark has become one of the most iconic families in modern fantasy literature. Their motto “Winter is Coming” has become a cultural catchphrase, and the direwolf sigil is instantly recognizable. The family’s theme of honor, resilience, and the struggle against the cold has resonated with audiences worldwide. The Starks’ story arc, from the fall of Winterfell to the ultimate victory in the Battle of Winterfell, is a central narrative of Game of Thrones. In the books, the family’s fate remains uncertain, but their legacy is firmly established as a symbol of the North.
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