The Complete Targaryen Family Tree Explained: 7 Fiery Secrets From Aegon The Conqueror To Daenerys

The House Targaryen family tree is arguably the most complex and blood-soaked lineage in the entire history of Westeros, spanning nearly three centuries of rule. As of December 15, 2025, with the lore expanded significantly by the hit series House of the Dragon, understanding the full scope of this dragon-riding dynasty—from their origins in Old Valyria to the final heirs in Game of Thrones—requires a deep dive into generations of incestuous marriages, civil war, and political intrigue. This guide breaks down the essential branches of the family, connecting King Viserys I to Daenerys Targaryen and revealing the true parentage of Jon Snow.

Tracing the line of the Dragonlords is crucial for grasping the political landscape of both major series. The Targaryens' unique custom of brother-sister marriage, intended to keep their bloodline pure and their connection to dragons strong, ultimately created a volatile dynasty prone to madness and civil strife, most famously the devastating conflict known as the Dance of the Dragons. Understanding the connections between Aegon the Conqueror, the controversial reign of Viserys I, and the final heirs is key to appreciating the entire saga.

The Foundation: From Valyria to Aegon's Conquest

The Targaryen story begins long before they ruled the Seven Kingdoms. They were one of the many noble families of the Valyrian Freehold, but they were not the most powerful. Their survival is attributed to Daenys "The Dreamer" Targaryen, who foresaw the cataclysmic destruction of Valyria, known as the Doom, twelve years before it happened. This vision prompted her family, led by her father Aenar Targaryen, to relocate to the island fortress of Dragonstone, off the coast of Westeros.

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• Aenar Targaryen: The Lord who moved his family and five dragons to Dragonstone, saving the House.
• Daenys the Dreamer: Aenar’s daughter, whose prophetic dream saved the Targaryen line from the Doom.
• Aegon I "The Conqueror" Targaryen: The true founder of the dynasty in Westeros.
• Visenya Targaryen: Aegon's elder sister-wife, a formidable warrior and dragonrider of Vhagar.
• Rhaenys Targaryen: Aegon's younger sister-wife, known for her beauty and riding Meraxes.

It was Aegon I, along with his sister-wives, who launched the Conquest of Westeros, unifying six of the seven kingdoms (Dorne resisted for a time) and establishing the Targaryen dynasty that would rule for nearly 300 years. He was the first King on the Iron Throne, marking the start of the Targaryen Kings List.

The Key Monarchs After the Conquest

The line of succession was not always smooth. After Aegon I, his son Aenys I and grandson Maegor I "The Cruel" had tumultuous reigns. The stability came with the long and prosperous rule of Jaehaerys I "The Conciliator", known as the Old King, whose reign is considered the golden age of the dynasty.

The Branching Point: The House of the Dragon Lineage

The events of House of the Dragon center on the immediate descendants of Jaehaerys I, specifically his grandson, King Viserys I Targaryen. Viserys I’s controversial decision to name his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, as his heir, bypassing his younger brother and later his son, was the spark that ignited the Dance of the Dragons—a catastrophic civil war.

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The family tree in this era is critical:

• King Viserys I Targaryen: Successor to Jaehaerys I. His first wife was Aemma Arryn, mother to Rhaenyra. His second wife was Alicent Hightower, mother to Aegon II, Helaena, and Aemond.
• Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (The Blacks): Viserys’s daughter and chosen heir. Her first husband was Laenor Velaryon (with three sons: Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey, whose parentage was often questioned). Her second husband was her uncle, Prince Daemon Targaryen, with whom she had Aegon (the Younger), Viserys, and Rhaena.
• Prince Daemon Targaryen: Viserys’s younger brother, a formidable warrior and dragonrider of Caraxes. He married Laena Velaryon, then Rhaenyra. He is a pivotal figure in the lineage.
• Aegon II Targaryen (The Greens): Viserys’s first son by Alicent Hightower. His claim, supported by his mother and the Hightowers, directly challenged Rhaenyra’s, leading to the Dance of the Dragons. He married his sister, Helaena.

The civil war saw the near-extinction of the dragons and significantly weakened the Targaryen hold on power. The lineage continued through Rhaenyra's surviving sons, specifically Aegon III "The Dragonbane" (Rhaenyra's son with Daemon), who eventually ascended the throne and oversaw the death of the last dragon, ushering in a new, dragon-less era for the dynasty.

The Line of Succession: From the Dance to the Mad King

The generations following the Dance of the Dragons solidified the Targaryen rule, albeit without their winged beasts. This part of the family tree is less explored in the TV series but is essential for connecting the past to Game of Thrones. The line continued through a sequence of kings, often characterized by short, tumultuous reigns or periods of peace.

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Key figures in this intermediate period include:

• Aegon IV "The Unworthy": A notorious king whose many mistresses and bastard children (known as the Great Bastards, including Daemon Blackfyre) led to the Blackfyre Rebellions, one of the most significant civil wars after the Dance.
• Aegon V "The Unlikely": Known as "Egg," a beloved king whose story is central to George R.R. Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. He died tragically at the tragedy of Summerhall.
• Jaehaerys II Targaryen: Aegon V's son, a short-reigning king who married his sister Shaera.
• Aerys II "The Mad King": Jaehaerys II's son, the last Targaryen king on the Iron Throne, whose madness and cruelty led to Robert's Rebellion and the end of the dynasty.

This period is crucial as it shows the slow decline and eventual downfall of the Targaryen rule, paving the way for the events that would define the next generation.

The Final Heirs: Daenerys and the Truth About Jon Snow

The final, and perhaps most famous, branch of the House Targaryen family tree connects directly to the narrative climax of Game of Thrones. This generation includes the children of Aerys II "The Mad King" and his sister-wife, Rhaella.

• Rhaegar Targaryen: The Crown Prince, heir to Aerys II. He was married to Elia Martell but famously ran off with Lyanna Stark, sparking Robert's Rebellion.
• Viserys Targaryen: The self-proclaimed "Last Targaryen" king, exiled with his sister Daenerys.
• Daenerys Targaryen: The youngest child of Aerys II and Rhaella. Known as the Mother of Dragons, she was the last hope for the Targaryen restoration.

The greatest secret of the entire saga lies in the lineage of Jon Snow. It was revealed that Jon was not the bastard son of Ned Stark, but the legitimate son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark.

This revelation makes Jon Snow's true name Aegon Targaryen (VI), placing him as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne ahead of his aunt, Daenerys. This twist completes the Targaryen family tree, showing that the line of the dragonlords was not fully extinguished after Robert's Rebellion, but continued in secret through the union of Rhaegar and Lyanna, a love story that ended a dynasty and began a new era.

7 Fiery Facts About the Targaryen Lineage That Will Shock You

The complexity of the Targaryen family tree is rooted in their unique and often disturbing traditions. Here are seven facts that highlight the dynasty's chaotic history and commitment to their "pure" bloodline:

1. The Incestuous Tradition: The practice of brother-sister marriage (known as "marrying within the blood") was common, starting with Aegon the Conqueror, who married both of his sisters, Visenya and Rhaenys. This was done to keep the dragon blood pure, but often resulted in madness.
2. Dragonstone's Prophecy: The family's entire survival is due to Daenys the Dreamer, whose vision of the Doom of Valyria saved them from the destruction of their homeland.
3. The True Name of Jon Snow: Jon Snow is actually Aegon Targaryen (VI), the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. His claim to the throne was stronger than Daenerys's.
4. The Dance of the Dragons: The civil war between Rhaenyra (The Blacks) and Aegon II (The Greens) saw the death of nearly all living dragons, leading to the Dragonbane era.
5. The Blackfyre Rebellions: Four major civil wars were fought over the Iron Throne due to the legitimization of the Great Bastards of Aegon IV "The Unworthy," particularly Daemon Blackfyre.
6. The End of the Line: Despite Daenerys's attempts to restore the dynasty, the Targaryen line is effectively extinguished with her death and Jon Snow's exile, bringing the 300-year reign to a definitive close.
7. The Velaryon Connection: The Targaryens frequently intermarried with House Velaryon, another Valyrian family, to maintain their noble heritage, as seen with Rhaenyra's first marriage to Laenor Velaryon.

The House Targaryen family tree is a testament to the idea that power and purity come at a terrible cost. From the glorious Conquest to the tragic end of the Mad King's children, their history is a cycle of fire and blood that continues to captivate audiences and drive the narrative of Westeros.