A guide to the major houses on 'Game of Thrones,' including a final tally of who's still alive and w

Publish date: 2024-07-14
Updated 2019-05-20T16:53:00Z

While re-watching past episodes of HBO's "Game of Thrones," do you ever catch yourself wondering, "Wait, is that person dead or alive?"

There's so much death, and so many characters, that it's certainly a possibility — even for someone who has been paying close attention.

It can also get hard to keep track of who's related to whom, so it helps to keep track of where loyalties lie. To help you with both of these problems, here's a handy guide to the status of every member of the major noble houses in Westeros.

Note: This is your last chance to head back before season eight spoilers.

Carrie Wittmer contributed to an earlier version of this post.

House Stark

The sigil of House Stark is a direwolf. Yutong Yuan/Business Insider

The very first episode of "Game of Thrones" begins in Winterfell, over which the ancient House Stark had presided for thousands of years. Ever since House Targaryen conquered Westeros, each head of House Stark was named the Warden of the North.

Ned Stark — dead

Sean Bean as Ned Stark. HBO

Time of death: Season one, episode nine, "Baelor"

Cause of death: Beheaded by Sir Illyn Payne on a stage in King's Landing, right in front of his daughter Sansa, on Joffrey's orders.

Benjen Stark — dead

Joseph Mawle as Benjen Stark. HBO

Time of death: Season seven, episode six, "Beyond the Wall"

Cause of death: Sacrificed himself to an army of wights so that Jon Snow could escape.

Catelyn Stark — dead

Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark (née Tully). HBO

Time of death: Season three, episode nine, "The Rains of Castamere"

Cause of death: Black Walder Rivers slit her throat at the Red Wedding.

Robb Stark — dead

Richard Madden as Robb Stark. HBO

Time of death: Season three, episode nine, "The Rains of Castamere"

Cause of death: Shot with an arrow by a Frey, then stabbed in the heart by Roose Bolton.

Talisa Stark — dead

Oona Chaplin as Talisa Stark (née Maegyr). HBO

Time of death: Season three, episode nine, "The Rains of Castamere"

Cause of death: Stabbed in the stomach by Lothar Frey at the Red Wedding.

Sansa Stark — alive

Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark. HBO

Sansa Stark has survived threats on her life, both direct and indirect, from a variety of men on nearly every season. She escaped her husband and captor, Ramsay Bolton, and helped defeat him at the Battle of the Bastards.

Sansa became the Lady of Winterfell, advocating for the North's independence from the Seven Kingdoms. On the series finale, she was crowned the Queen of the North.

Brandon Stark — alive

Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark. HBO

Bran Stark, the young Lord of Winterfell, was nearly killed on season two when Theon Greyjoy attacked the castle. But he survived, journeyed north of the Wall, and became the new Three-Eyed Raven. Following this transformation, he's made it clear that he's not really Bran Stark anymore

Bran is the keeper of Westeros' history, and his powers helped bring about the defeat of the Night King. On the series finale, he was crowned as the newest king in Westeros — now officially known as Brandon of the House Stark, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Six Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.

Arya Stark — alive

Maisie Williams as Arya Stark. HBO

Since fleeing from the Lannisters in King's Landing, Arya Stark has survived the threat of torture at Harrenhal, treacherous journeys with The Hound, and multiple assassination attempts by a Braavosi death cult.

Most recently, she proved her prowess in battle and ended the Great War by killing the Night King. We last saw her setting sail to discover what's west of Westeros.

Rickon Stark — dead

Art Parkinson as Rickon Stark. HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode nine, "Battle of the Bastards"

Cause of death: Ramsay Bolton shot an arrow in his back, while pretending to return him to Jon Snow unscathed.

House Lannister

The Lannister sigil is a golden lion. Yutong Yuan/Business Insider

House Lannister of Casterly Rock is famously the wealthiest house in Westeros.

Tywin Lannister — dead

Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister. Macall B. Polay/courtesy of HBO

Time of death: Season four, episode 10, "The Children"

Cause of death: His son, Tyrion, shot him with a crossbow while he was using the toilet.

Kevan Lannister — dead

Ian Gelder as Kevan Lannister. HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode 10, "The Winds of Winter"

Cause of death: Burned alive in Cersei's wildfire explosion at the Sept of Baelor.

Cersei Lannister — dead

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister on "Game of Thrones." Helen Sloan/HBO

Time of death: Season eight, episode five, "The Bells"

Cause of death: Crushed as the ceiling collapsed in the tunnels beneath King's Landing.

Jaime Lannister — dead

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister. Macall B. Polay/HBO

Time of death: Season eight, episode five, "The Bells"

Cause of death: Crushed as the ceiling collapsed in the tunnels beneath King's Landing.

Tyrion Lannister — alive

Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister. Helen Sloan/HBO

Tyrion Lannister nearly died in the Battle of the Blackwater but he was saved by his squire, Podrick. Later, he was sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit, but was freed by his brother and Lord Varys.

Tyrion traveled to Essos, became Daenerys Targaryen's Hand of the Queen, and helped orchestrate her alliance with the King of the North. But after watching her destroy King's Landing and murder innocents, he publicly renounced his title.

On the series finale, Bran Stark appointed Tyrion as his Hand: "He's made many terrible mistakes," the new king said. "He's going to spend the rest of his life fixing them."

Lancel Lannister — dead

Eugene Simon as Lancel Lannister. Helen Sloan/HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode 10, "The Winds of Winter"

Cause of death: Stabbed by one of Qyburn's little birds, then blown up by the wildfire in the tunnels underneath the Sept of Baelor.

Willem and Martyn Lannister — dead

Before he was Tommen, Dean Charles Chapman played Martyn Lannister. HBO

Time of death: Season three, episode five, "Kissed by Fire"

Cause of death: The two younger sons of Kevan Lannister were kept as hostages by Robb Stark's army. Against Robb's orders, they were stabbed by Lord Rickard Karstark, with the help of other insubordinate soldiers who wanted revenge on the Lannisters.

House Baratheon

The Baratheon sigil is historically a black stag on a yellow background. Yutong Yuan/Business Insider

Robert's Rebellion destroyed the Targaryen dynasty in Westeros and cemented the rule of House Baratheon.

Stannis Baratheon — dead

Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon. Helen Sloan/HBO

Time of death: Season five, episode 10, "Mother's Mercy"

Cause of death: After his failed attack on Ramsay Bolton's army at Winterfell, Brienne of Tarth executed him for murdering his younger brother, Renly.

Selyse Baratheon — dead

Tara Fitzgerald as Selyse Baratheon. HBO

Time of death: Season five, episode 10, "Mother's Mercy"

Cause of death: Hanged herself after watching her daughter burn alive.

Robert Baratheon — dead

Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon. HBO

Time of death: Season one, episode seven, "A Man Without Honor"

Cause of death: Wounded by a wild boar on a hunting trip after drinking wine given to him by his squire, Lancel Lannister, on orders from Cersei Lannister.

Renly Baratheon — dead

Gethin Anthony as Renly Baratheon. HBO

Time of death: Season two, episode five, "The Ghost of Harrenhal"

Cause of death: Killed by the creepy ghost-baby of Stannis and Melisandre.

Joffrey Baratheon — dead

Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon. HBO

Time of death: Season four, episode two, "The Lion and the Rose"

Cause of death: Poisoned by Petyr Baelish and Olenna Tyrell at his own wedding.

Myrcella Baratheon — dead

Nell Tiger Free as Myrcella Baratheon. HBO

Time of death: Season five, episode 10, "Mother's Mercy"

Cause of death: Ellaria Sand kissed her while wearing poisoned lipstick, just before Myrcella left for King's Landing with Jaime.

Tommen Baratheon — dead

Dean-Charles Chapman as Tommen Baratheon. HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode 10, "The Winds of Winter"

Cause of death: Committed suicide by jumping from a window in the Red Keep.

Shireen Baratheon — dead

Kerry Danielle Ingram as Shireen Baratheon. HBO

Time of death: Season five, episode nine, "The Dance of Dragons"

Cause of death: Burned alive by Melisandre as a sacrifice to the Lord of Light, on Stannis' order.

Gendry Baratheon — alive

Joe Dempsie as Gendry. Helen Sloan/HBO

Gendry was born as a bastard to a peasant mother, but his father was King Robert Baratheon. He was legitimized by Daenerys Targaryen after he fought bravely at the Battle of Winterfell, and now serves as the Lord of Storm's End.

House Targaryen

The Targaryen Sigil is a red, three-headed dragon. Yutong Yuan/Business Insider

House Targaryen ruled the seven kingdoms for hundreds of years, ever since Aegon I conquered most of Westeros. Nearly every remaining Targaryen was killed when Aerys II, aka the "Mad King," was unseated by Robert's Rebellion.

Maester Aemon — dead

Peter Vaughan as Aemon Targaryen. HBO/Game of Thrones

Time of death: Season five, episode seven, "Kill the Boy"

Cause of death: Old age.

Aerys "The Mad King" Targaryen — dead

David Rintoul as Aerys II Targaryen. HBO

Time of death: Before the show began.

Cause of death: Known as "The Mad King," Aerys II was killed by Jaime Lannister after he threatened to burn down King's Landing.

Rhaegar Targaryen — dead

Wilf Scolding as Rhaegar Targaryen and Aisling Franciosi as Lyanna Stark. HBO

Time of death: Before the show began.

Cause of death: Rhaegar, the Mad King's eldest son and heir to the Iron Throne, was killed during Robert's Rebellion (which began because Rhaegar ran off with Lyanna Stark, who was promised to Robert Baratheon).

Viserys Targaryen — dead

Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen. HBO

Time of death: Season one, episode six, "A Golden Crown"

Cause of death: Khal Drogo poured molten gold on his head.

Daenerys Targaryen — dead

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen. HBO

Time of death: Season eight, episode six, "The Iron Throne"

Cause of death: Stabbed in the stomach by her lover and nephew, Jon Snow, who was encouraged by Tyrion Lannister to end her tyrannical reign.

Aegon Targaryen, aka Jon Snow — resurrected

Kit Harington as Jon Snow, born Aegon Targaryen. HBO

Time of death: Season five, episode 10, "Mother's Mercy"

Cause of death: Stabbed by Alliser Thorne, Olly, and other members of the Night's Watch who hate Wildlings.

Jon, a member of both House Stark and House Targaryen, was brought back to life by Melisandre on season six, episode two, "Home."

Jon was exiled as punishment for killing his queen, Daenerys Targaryen, before she could inflict any more harm on innocent people. He was sent back North, forced to rejoin the Night's Watch — but as any fan knows, Jon is a true Northman and spent some of his happiest moments beyond the Wall.

House Greyjoy

The House Greyjoy sigil is a golden kraken. Yutong Yuan/Business Insider

The Greyjoys rule the Iron Islands with the biggest, most fearsome fleet in Westeros.

Balon Greyjoy — dead

Patrick Malahide as Balon Greyjoy. HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode two, "Home"

Cause of death: His brother, Euron Greyjoy, pushed him off a bridge in Pyke.

Euron Greyjoy — dead

Pilou Asbæk as Euron Greyjoy. HBO

Time of death: Season eight, episode five, "The Bells"

Cause of death: Stabbed through the stomach by Jaime Lannister.

Yara Greyjoy — alive

Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy. Helen Sloan/HBO

Yara Greyjoy built her reputation as a fearsome captain of the Iron Fleet. After her father's death, she was nearly named Queen of the Iron Islands — but the ceremony was hijacked by her uncle, Euron, who later captured her.

Yara was freed by her brother, Theon, and sailed back to Pyke to reclaim her crown. 

Theon Greyjoy — dead

Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy. HBO

Time of death: Season eight, episode three, "The Long Night"

Cause of death: Skewered by the Night King after sacrificing himself to protect Bran Stark.

House Tyrell

The sigil of House Tyrell is a rose. Yutong Yuan/Business Insider

Until very recently, House Tyrell was the second-wealthiest family in Westeros and held control of Highgarden, the capital of the Reach.

Olenna Tyrell — dead

Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell. HBO

Time of death: Season seven, episode three, "The Queen's Justice"

Cause of death: Cersei wanted to give Olenna a cruel death after taking Highgarden, but Jaime convinced her otherwise and gave Olenna poison instead.

Mace Tyrell — dead

Roger Ashton-Griffiths as Mace Tyrell. HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode 10, "The Winds of Winter"

Cause of death: Burned alive in Cersei's wildfire explosion at the Sept of Baelor.

Loras Tyrell — dead

Finn Jones as Loras Tyrell. HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode 10, "The Winds of Winter"

Cause of death: Burned alive in Cersei's wildfire explosion at the Sept of Baelor.

Margaery Tyrell — dead

Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell. HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode 10, "The Winds of Winter"

Cause of death: Burned alive in Cersei's wildfire explosion at the Sept of Baelor.

House Martell

The sigil of House Dorne is a red sun pierced by a golden spear. Yutong Yuan/Business Insider

House Martell historically ruled Dorne, the kingdom in the south of Westeros.

According to Westerosi lore, the Targaryens were never truly able to conquer Dorne. It only became one of the seven kingdoms 100 years later, thanks to House Martell's diplomacy.

Doran Martell — dead

Alexander Siddig as Doran Martell. HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode one, "The Red Woman"

Cause of death: Stabbed by Ellaria Sand.

Oberyn Martell — dead

Pedro Pascal as Oberyn Martell. HBO

Time of death: Season four, episode eight, "The Mountain and the Viper"

Cause of death: Oberyn volunteered to fight in Tyrion's trial by combat but lost to The Mountain, who smashed his face and skull with his bare hands.

Ellaria Sand — dying slowly

Indira Varma as Ellaria Sand. Macall B. Polay/HBO

Time of death: Season seven, episode three, "The Queen's Justice"

Cause of death: Ellaria has to watch her daughter die while she decomposes slowly in the Red Keep's dungeons.

Disclaimer: Ellaria, Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene Sand weren't full-blooded Martells, but we included them with House Martell due to their strong connection to the House for their entire run on the series.

Trystane Martell — dead

Toby Sebastian as Trystane Martell. HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode one, "The Red Woman"

Cause of death: Stabbed in the head with a spear by Obara the Sand Snake.

Nymeria Sand — dead

Jessica Henwick as Nymeria Sand. HBO

Time of death: Season seven, episode two, "Stormborn"

Cause of death: During Euron's attack, he strangled Nymeria. At the end of the battle, her body was seen hanging from the ship.

Disclaimer: Ellaria, Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene Sand weren't full-blooded Martells, but we included them with House Martell due to their strong connection to the House for their entire run on the series. 

Obara Sand — dead

Keisha Castle-Hughes as Obara Sand. HBO

Time of death: Season seven, episode two, "Stormborn"

Cause of death: In his attack on Yara's fleet, Euron Greyjoy stabbed Obara with her own spear, then hung her body in front of the ship.

Disclaimer: Ellaria, Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene Sand weren't full-blooded Martells, but we included them with House Martell due to their strong connection to the House for their entire run on the series. 

Tyene Sand — dead

Rosabell Laurenti Sellers as Tyene Sand. HBO

Time of death: Season seven, episode three, "The Queen's Justice"

Cause of death: Cersei locked up Ellaria in a dungeon with her daughter, Tyene, who she poisoned the same way Ellaria poisoned Myrcella: With a kiss and a poison called "The Long Farewell."

Disclaimer: Ellaria, Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene Sand weren't full-blooded Martells, but we included them with House Martell due to their strong connection to the House for their entire run on the series. 

House Arryn

The Arryn sigil is white falcon and a moon on a blue field. Yutong Yuan/Business Insider

House Arryn of the Eyrie, which is said to be impenetrable, has ruled over the Vale for thousands of years.

Jon Arryn — dead

John Standing as Jon Arryn. HBO

Time of death: Season one, episode one, "Winter Is Coming"

Cause of death: Poisoned by Lysa Arryn, on Littlefinger's orders.

Lysa Arryn — dead

Kate Dickie as Lysa Arryn. HBO

Time of death: Season four, episode seven, "The Gift"

Cause of death: Littlefinger pushed her out of the Moon Door for threatening Sansa's life.

Littlefinger — dead

Aidan Gillen as Petyr Baelish, aka Littlefinger. HBO

Time of death: Season seven, episode seven, "The Dragon and the Wolf"

Cause of death: Arya slit his throat with his own dagger.

Disclaimer: Littlefinger aligned himself with House Arryn when he married Lysa. He briefly served as Lord of the Eyrie, which earned him a spot in this section of the list.

Robin Arryn — alive

Lino Facioli as Robin Arryn. HBO

Thanks to the deaths of his father and step-father, Robin Arryn is now Lord of the Eyrie, the head of House Arryn, the Warden of the East, and Lord Paramount of the Vale of Arryn.

House Tully

The House Tully sigil is a silver trout on a red and blue background. Yutong Yuan/Business Insider

House Tully presided over Riverrun, the capital of the riverlands, for generations.

Hoster Tully — dead

Hoster Tully was Lord of Riverrun and the father of Catelyn Stark. HBO

Time of death: Season three, episode three, "Walk of Punishment"

Cause of death: Illness.

Brynden "The Blackfish" Tully — presumed dead

Clive Russell as Brynden Tully. Helen Sloan/HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode eight, "No One"

Cause of death: We didn't actually see him killed, but he was likely killed by Lannister forces after they re-captured Riverrun.

Edmure Tully — alive

Tobias Menzies as Edmure Tully. HBO

Edmure Tully, Catelyn's brother, was taken prisoner by House Frey at the Red Wedding. He remained a captive of House Lannister and used as a political pawn.

After Daenerys Targaryen and her army of Unsullied executed the remaining Lannister forces, Edmure resumed his role as head of House Tully and Lord of Riverrun.

House Frey

The House Frey sigil represents "the Twins," two castles connected by a bridge. Yutong Yuan/Business Insider

House Frey had historically sworn fealty to House Tully and controlled an important bridge in the riverlands.

According to Catelyn Stark, "the Freys have held the Crossing for 600 years, and for 600 years they have never failed to exact their toll."

Walder Frey — dead

Maisie Williams as Arya Stark and David Bradley as Walder Frey. Helen Sloan/HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode 10, "The Winds of Winter"

Cause of death: Arya Stark slit his throat after feeding him a pie, baked with the bodies of his own sons.

Lothar Frey — dead

Tom Brooke as Lothar Frey. HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode 10, "The Winds of Winter"

Cause of death: Killed and carved into a pie by Arya Stark.

All male Freys — dead

Arya took revenge on the Freys for the Red Wedding. HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode 10, "The Winds of Winter"

Cause of death: Arya Stark impersonated Walder Frey and poisoned his remaining male relatives.

House Bolton

House Bolton's sigil is an upside-down flayed man. Yutong Yuan/Business Insider

House Bolton was granted rule of the North after betraying House Stark and aligning itself with House Lannister — until Sansa Stark and Jon Snow won back Winterfell at the Battle of the Bastards.

Roose Bolton — dead

Michael McElhatton as Roose Bolton. HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode two, "Home"

Cause of death: Ramsay Bolton stabbed him after Roose threatened to name his unborn son as his successor.

Walda Bolton — dead

Elizabeth Webster as Walda Bolton (née Frey). HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode two, "Home"

Cause of death: Ramsay Bolton left her and her newborn son to be eaten by his hounds.

Ramsay Bolton — dead

Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton. Helen Sloan/HBO

Time of death: Season six, episode nine, "Battle of the Bastards"

Cause of death: Sansa left him to be eaten by his own hounds.

House Mormont

On the show, House Mormont's bear sigil stands against a white background. In the books, the bear stands in a green forrest. Yutong Yuan/Business Insider

House Mormont ruled Bear Island, an island north of Winterfell, and held fealty to House Stark.

Jeor Mormont — dead

James Cosmo as Jeor Mormont. HBO

Time of death: Season three, episode four, "And Now His Watch Has Ended"

Cause of death: Stabbed to death by a traitor to the Night's Watch at Craster's Keep.

Jorah Mormont — dead

Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont. Helen Sloan/HBO

Time of death: Season eight, episode three, "The Long Night"

Cause of death: Killed by a horde of wights while protecting Daenerys Targaryen.

Lyanna Mormont — dead

Bella Ramsey as Lyanna Mormont. Helen Sloan/HBO

Time of death: Season eight, episode three, "The Long Night"

Cause of death: Crushed by a wight giant — but not before stabbing him in the eye with dragonglass.

House Tarly

The sigil of House Tarly is a red huntsman against a green background. Yutong Yuan/Business Insider

House Tarly of Horn Hill is a noble house from the Reach, the most fertile region of the Seven Kingdoms. The lords of the Reach had historically sworn fealty to House Tyrell.

Randyll Tarly — dead

James Faulkner as Randyll Tarly. Macall B. Polay/HBO

Time of death: Season seven, episode five, "Eastwatch"

Cause of death: Daenerys had Drogon burn him alive.

Melessa Tarly — alive

Samantha Spiro as Melessa Tarly. HBO

Melessa Tarly, née Florent, is the Lady of Horn Hill.

Samwell Tarly — alive

John Bradley West as Sam Tarly. HBO

Sam Tarly was a sworn brother of the Night's Watch until Lord Commander Jon Snow sent him to the Citadel. After Bran Stark became the King of Westeros, he appointed Sam as Grand Maester.

Sam has one adopted son, also named Sam, with his girlfriend Gilly. Last we saw her, she was pregnant with hers and Sam's first biological child together.

Talla Tarly — alive

Rebecca Benson as Talla Tarly. HBO

Talla is the only daughter of Lord Randyll Tarly. She is beloved by her brother, Sam.

Dickon Tarly — dead

Tom Hopper as Dickon Tarly. HBO

Time of death: Season seven, episode five, "Eastwatch."

Cause of death: Daenerys has Drogon burn him alive because he wouldn't bend the knee.

House Clegane

The Clegane sigil is three black dogs on a dark yellow background. Yutong Yuan/Business Insider

Clegane isn't a noble house, but its known surviving members were extremely important throughout "Game of Thrones."

Sandor "The Hound" Clegane — dead

Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane. Helen Sloan/HBO

Time of death: Season eight, episode five, "The Bells"

Cause of death: Sacrificed himself to destroy his undead brother.

Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane — dead

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson as Gregor Clegane. HBO

Time of death: Season four, episode eight, "The Mountain and the Viper"

Cause of death: Oberyn Martell stabbed him multiple times with a poisonous spear during Tyrion Lannister's trial by combat.

The Mountain was later reanimated by Qyburn and became a monstrous, murderous zombie-like figure, loyal to Queen Cersei.

Time of second death: Season eight, episode five, "The Bells"

Cause of death: Tackled by his brother and pushed out of the Red Keep, into the burning city below.

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