11 most prominent Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon houses

George R. R. Martin created an expansive world with his A Song of Ice and Fire books, and it can be difficult at times to fully process how intricate the social structure of Westeros is. Fans spend the vast majority of their time with members of the nobility, which makes it important to know the major Houses.

The most prominent players come from the nine Great Houses of Westeros, but there are hundreds of other houses present in the series, which either have less power or went extinct before the events of the main series. Some of those houses have more prominent roles in Martin's historical works, like Fire & Blood, the source material for House of the Dragon.

For those looking to get into the Game of Thrones fandom, refresh their memory for House of the Dragon, or just learn more about their favorite houses, this breakdown will give you everything you want to know about how each house was founded and what role it plays at the start of each show.

House Velaryon

"The Old, the True, the Brave"

House Velaryon is incredibly important in House of the Dragon, but it is scarcely present by the time of Game of Thrones. They began as Valyrian nobility who moved to Westeros before the Targaryens and made the island of Driftmark their home. They frequently intermarried with the Targaryens, and Valaena Velaryon was the mother of Aegon the Conqueror and his sister-wives.

Thanks to the work of the Sea Snake (Corlys Velaryon), House Velaryon was the wealthiest in Westeros during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen. This family was deeply entangled in the Dance of the Dragons civil war, but managed to survive it with their power largely intact. However, they lost influence during Robert's Rebellion and ended up vassals of House Baratheon. This is why they seem to have disappeared by the start of Game of Thrones.

Prominent Members:

• Corlys Velaryon (House of the Dragon)
• Laena and Laenor Velaryon (House of the Dragon)
• Monford Velaryon (Game of Thrones)

House Hightower

"We Light the Way"

House Hightower descends from monarchs among the First Men, one of the earliest ethnic groups in Westeros. They live in the High Tower, a structure that was repeatedly renovated and rebuilt to remain a fortress as technology advanced. During Aegon's Conquest, Lord Manfred Hightower was warned that he should accept the Targaryens in order to protect his house's future.

The Hightowers continued to ally with the Targaryens through much of Westerosi history, including wedding Ceryse Hightower to Maegor the Cruel. Lady Alicent Hightower married Viserys I in House of the Dragon, and her children (though Targaryens) were major forces in the Dance of the Dragons. Although the house is still around during the time of Game of Thrones, they play a minor role, thanks to self-imposed isolation.

Prominent Members:

• Otto Hightower (House of the Dragon)
• Alicent Hightower (House of the Dragon)

House Greyjoy

"We Do Not Sow"

House Greyjoy is one of the Great Houses of Westeros, chosen by the people due to their ancestry. The Greyjoys supposedly descend from the legendary Grey King. In order to preserve their heritage, the Greyjoys negotiated to keep the Faith of the Seven out of the Iron Islands. They did participate in the Dance of the Dragons, courted by both sides for their ships, but have yet to appear onscreen in House of the Dragon.

After Robert Baratheon claimed the Iron Throne a few years before the start of Game of Thrones, Balon Greyjoy mustered the Iron Fleet and rebelled. However, this resulted in the death of two of his sons and much of his army, as the Baratheon army crushed them. In exchange for keeping his title and land, Balon had to give his last son, Theon, as a ward to Eddard Stark. This embarrassed the House and led them to further rebellion throughout Game of Thrones.

Prominent Members:

• Dalton Greyjoy (House of the Dragon)
• Balon Greyjoy (Game of Thrones)
• Asha and Theon Greyjoy (Game of Thrones)
• Euron Greyjoy (Game of Thrones)

House Tyrell

“Growing Strong”

House Tyrell originally served as loyal vassals to House Gardener, which controlled the Reach. They intermarried with House Gardener on numerous occasions, but when King Mern IX was defeated by the Targaryens, Harlan Tyrell knelt to Aegon the Conqueror. In return, House Tyrell was given control over the region and the task of keeping the Dornish in line.

The Tyrell family remained neutral as often as possible during the Dance of the Dragons, which means fans shouldn't expect to see them much in House of the Dragon. They stood with the Targaryens throughout Robert's Rebellion, but they eventually become important figures in Game of Thrones after allying with first Renly Baratheon and then the Lannister-Baratheon kings.

Prominent Members:

• Olenna Redwyne Tyrell (Game of Thrones)
• Loras Tyrell (Game of Thrones)
• Margaery Tyrell (Game of Thrones)

House Martell

"Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken"

House Martell was established by Morgan Martell after he settled in Dorne. While the house began as minor nobility, they rose to prominence after Mors Martell married Princess Nymeria of Ny Sar. The Martells weren't conquered during Aegon's Conquest, although they frequently allied with the Targaryens throughout Westerosi history.

In order to claim that they had truly united the Seven Kingdoms, both sides of the Dance of the Dragons tried to create marriage alliances with the Martells. This didn't work, but the kingdoms were united in 187 AC, when Maron Martell married Daenerys Targaryen (not the one from Game of Thrones). After a series of affronts from House Lannister toward House Martell before the events of Game of Thrones, the Martells continued to ally with the Targaryens during the reign of Robert Baratheon.

Prominent Members:

• Qoren Martell (House of the Dragon)
• Doran Nymeros Martell (Game of Thrones)
• Elia Martell (Game of Thrones)
• Oberyn Martell (Game of Thrones)

House Tully

"Family, Duty, Honor"

House Tully is notable for controlling Riverrun for thousands of years. They gained prominence during Aegon's Conquest when Edmyn Tully allied with the Targaryens against House Hoare. Since then, they have held multiple council positions for Targaryen rulers, faithfully serving those in power.

The Tullys were divided during the Dance of the Dragons, with multiple members who will play a role in House of the Dragon. In the time of Game of Thrones, House Tully is well-connected in Westeros, with Lord Hoster Tully's daughters married into Houses Stark and Arryn. Although the Tullys haven't made huge moves, they are powerful supporters (and enemies) of those who are.

Prominent Members:

• Grover Tully (House of the Dragon)
• Elmo, Kermit and Oscar Tully (House of the Dragon)
• Catelyn Stark (Game of Thrones)
• Lysa Arryn (Game of Thrones)
• Edmure Tully (Game of Thrones)

House Arryn

"As High as Honor"

House Arryn is one of the oldest in Westeros, descended from Andal kings. They fought against the Targaryens to a stalemate during Aegon's Conquest, but eventually knelt after Visenya Targaryen captured the child King Ronnel Arryn while his mother was away. The Arryns had largely positive relationships with the Targaryens, including multiple marriages, until just before the start of Game of Thrones.

Thanks to Rhaenyra Targaryen being half-Arryn, the family was heavily involved in the Dance of the Dragons and thus will be seen more in House of the Dragon. However, their role in Game of Thrones is largely based on Jon Arryn's fostering of Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon. He refused to sacrifice the two young men to Aerys II Targaryen, which officially started Robert's Rebellion. After Robert became king, he served as Hand until his death.

Prominent Members:

• Aemma Arryn (House of the Dragon)
• Jeyne Arryn (House of the Dragon)
• Jon Arryn (Game of Thrones)
• Robert/Robin Arryn (Game of Thrones)

House Baratheon

"Ours is the Fury"

House Baratheon was founded by Orys Baratheon, who killed the head of House Durrandon and married his daughter. Because Orys was a close ally of Aegon the Conqueror, House Baratheon maintained a close relationship with House Targaryen through most of Westeros' early history. The families intermarried multiple times, as well as forming connections with House Velaryon.

As shown in season 1 of House of the Dragon, Lord Borros Baratheon chose to ally with Aegon II in the Dance of the Dragons after a betrothal agreement for his daughters. The family remained close with House Targaryen after the civil war, but there were several rebellions when House Baratheon felt insulted by the ruling Targaryens. The largest of these was launched when Prince Rhaegar Targaryen abducted Lyanna Stark, Robert Baratheon's betrothed.

After the Targaryens were deposed, House Baratheon split into its royal line in King's Landing, its ancestral holdings, and the Targaryen's former holding of Dragonstone. Robert Baratheon, his brothers, and his children all play major roles throughout Game of Thrones.

Prominent Members:

• Borros Baratheon (House of the Dragon)
• Robert Baratheon (Game of Thrones)
• Stannis and Renly Baratheon (Game of Thrones)
• Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen Baratheon (Game of Thrones)

House Lannister

"Hear Me Roar!"

House Lannister was founded at some point during the Age of Heroes as a family of First Men nobility that eventually ruled as kings, beginning with King Loreon Lannister. They intermarried with Andal lords, eventually resulting in a mingled lineage starting with Joffrey Lydden Lannister. The Lannisters allied with House Gardener to stand against Aegon the Conqueror, but Loren I Lannister eventually surrendered and was named Warden of the West.

The Lannisters had a lot of wealth but limited political standing until the Dance of the Dragons, when they allied with the Hightowers and Tyland Lannister earned the house's first spot on the small council. After the civil war, they were repeatedly hurt by uprisings until Tywin Lannister came to power and got his lands under control. He served as Hand to King Aerys II Targaryen for over a decade before Robert's Rebellion.

Tywin remained neutral for most of the rebellion before ambushing King's Landing. His son, Jaime, killed Aerys, and Tywin's men killed most of the remaining Targaryens. Thanks to these betrayals against the Targaryens, Tywin's daughter Cersei was married to Robert Baratheon, and he gained considerable political power. Due to their importance in both House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones, they are one of the most well-known Houses, even beyond the fandom.

Prominent Members:

• Jason and Tyland Lannister (House of the Dragon)
• Tywin Lannister (Game of Thrones)
• Jaime and Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones)
• Tyrion Lannister (Game of Thrones)

House Stark

"Winter is Coming"

House Stark is one of the oldest Houses in Westeros, ruling the North long before the Targaryens connected the kingdoms. The founder of the house, Brandon the Builder, is believed to have created both the family stronghold at Winterfell and the Wall that protects Westeros from the wildlings and the army of the dead. Torrhen Stark eventually knelt to Aegon the Conqueror to prevent further war, remaining mostly loyal to the crown until the time of Robert's Rebellion.

Honoring their vow when she was first named Heir, House Stark stood with Rhaenyra during the Dance of the Dragons, with Lord Cregan Stark first appearing in season 2 of House of the Dragon. Fans can expect to see House Stark provide both troops in the ensuing wars and a moral compass as the Targaryen dynasty tries to move forward.

House Stark was at the heart of Robert's Rebellion, as Prince Rhaegar Targaryen was believed to have abducted Lyanna Stark. Both Lord Brandon and his heir Rickard were executed while trying to get her back, and Eddard Stark aligned with the Arryns and Baratheons in a successful rebellion against the crown. Ned and his children are all prominent figures throughout Game of Thrones.

Prominent Members:

• Cregan Stark (House of the Dragon)
• Eddard Stark (Game of Thrones)
• Robb, Sansa, Arya, Brandon, and Rickon Stark (Game of Thrones)
• Jon Snow (Game of Thrones)

House Targaryen

"Fire and Blood"

House Targaryen ruled over Westeros for most of its known history, having moved to Dragonstone before the Doom of Valyria. King Aegon I decided to conquer the Seven Kingdoms and consolidate them under his rule, which he did alongside his sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys. Their descendants remained in power for centuries, aided by their status as the kingdom's only dragon riders, but were eventually removed during Robert's Rebellion.

At the start of Game of Thrones, House Targaryen had been deposed for 15 years. The Mad King Aerys was killed by Jaime Lannister and most of his family was slaughtered, except for his exiled children Viserys and Daenerys. House of the Dragon takes place more than 150 years earlier, when the Targaryens were firmly in control of the throne, only having to worry about rebellion when it came from within.

Prominent Members:

• Aegon the Conqueror
• Viserys I (House of the Dragon)
• Rhaenyra Targaryen (House of the Dragon)
• Aegon II Targaryen (House of the Dragon)
• Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones)

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and Twitter account, sign up for our exclusive newsletter and check out our YouTube channel.