Bastards of the North: Unveiling the Origins of the 'Snow' Surname in Game of Thrones

Summary

Bastards in Game of Thrones were given different surnames based on the region they were born in, such as Snow in the North and Sand in Dorne.

Bastards in the Seven Kingdoms encountered discrimination and were deprived of inheritance rights, which compelled numerous individuals to join the Night's Watch in search of a meaningful existence. The upcoming prequel series, House of the Dragon, will delve into the impact of being a bastard and the resulting rifts within esteemed houses such as the Targaryens.

In Game of Thrones, those born out of wedlock in the North were given the surname "Snow". The system of bastard names in Westeros, which is where the show takes place, is the reason behind this. Jon Snow, portrayed by Kit Harington, was the most well-known character in the HBO series with this last name. Initially believed to be the illegitimate son of Ned Stark and raised as a member of House Stark, it was later revealed that Jon had Targaryen heritage. Before this revelation, Jon endured reminders of his bastard status, shedding light on the stigma attached to illegitimate birth.

Throughout the Seven Kingdoms in Game of Thrones, the term "bastard" was used to describe individuals born outside of marriage. Due to religious beliefs, these bastards faced social disapproval and were denied the rights to inherit noble titles and land. Facing discrimination and unequal treatment, many of these individuals sought refuge in the Night's Watch, where past allegiances were set aside and a new purpose was found. However, there is some confusion surrounding the origin of their last names and the variation depending on the region.

Northern Bastards Are Called Snow Because Of The Climate

Content

Based on the icy climate of the North and the presence of frozen precipitation, the official family name of the North was designated as "Snow." Several other surnames were established across Westeros, forming a system of identifying bastards according to their regional origin. The series features notable individuals bearing the surname Snow, such as Jon Snow and Ramsay Snow, who later adopted his father's name and became known as Ramsay Bolton. However, the designation of the clash between Jon and Ramsay as the Battle of the Bastards emphasizes that the stigma associated with illegitimate children remains, even when they are granted a family name.

Bastards In Dorne Are Called Sand

In the realm of Westeros, beyond The North, Dorne is the region where bastards receive considerable attention in the world of Game of Thrones. The people of Dorne do not attach as much significance to whether a child is born legitimate or a bastard. Prince Oberyn Martell nurtured his eight illegitimate daughters, known as the Sand Snakes, in the court and amidst the rest of the royal family. Although the series showcases only three of the Sand Snakes— Obara Sand, Nymeria Sand, and Tyene Sand— Oberyn assures the existence of more. Moreover, his lover Ellaria Sand possesses significant influence, highlighting the differing values that hold importance in the realm of Dorne.

Bastards In The Stormlands Are Called Storm

In the realm of Game of Thrones, there exists a prominent figure known as Gendry, who hails from the Stormlands and bears the title of a Bastard. However, due to the absence of official recognition from his father, King Robert Baratheon, Gendry is not granted the same name as the rest of Robert's illegitimate offspring. Gendry's awareness regarding his true heritage arises when he is captured by Melisandre, as she intends to exploit his royal bloodline to aid Stannis Baratheon in his battle against adversaries. It is in Game of Thrones' much-maligned final season that Gendry attains legitimacy through Danaerys Targaryen, thus acquiring the esteemed name of Gendry Baratheon. In the book series, Edric Storm assumes a portion of Gendry's narrative arc; being a recognized bastard son of Robert, he is taken under Stannis's custody but is later liberated by the valiant Davos Seaworth.

Bastards In The Crownlands Are Called Waters

In Game of Thrones, the Crownlands are not explicitly mentioned as part of Westeros. Consequently, there are no notable bastards with the surname Waters in the show. However, three key characters who technically qualify as bastards from the Crownlands are Joffrey Baratheon, Myrcella Baratheon, and Tommen Baratheon. Although they bear the surname Baratheon, they are actually the illegitimate children of Cersei Lannister and Jaime Lannister. One other notable bastard from the Crownlands is Daemon Waters, the son of King Aegon IV Targaryen, who later adopted the name Blackfyre and established House Blackfyre, ultimately leading to the Blackfyre Rebellion.

Bastards In The Iron Islands Are Called Pyke

The Iron Islands are renowned for their rugged inhabitants, renowned for their resilience and rebellious nature. Both Balon Greyjoy and Euron Greyjoy have claimed the title of King of the Iron Islands. Despite the prominence of the Iron Islands in the series, Pyke bastards are conspicuously absent. In the books, Cotter Pyke, a member of the Night's Watch and Lord Commander of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, stands out as the most well-known bastard from the Iron Islands.

WHERE TO WATCH: Stream Game of Thrones on Max.

Bastards In The Westerlands Are Called Hill

The Westerlands are briefly showcased in Game of Thrones when Tyrion Lannister strategizes an assault on his ancestral home of Casterly Rock. Although no illegitimate children from the region are mentioned in the series, House of the Dragon season 2 might introduce Ser Tyler Hill, also referred to as the Bastard of Lannisport, who fought for the Greens during the Dance of Dragons.

Bastards In The Vale Of Arryn Are Called Stone

Game of Thrones fans will remember The Vale of Arryn as the unforgettable setting where Littlefinger met his demise and pushed Lysa Arryn through the Moon Door. However, there remains a lack of information about the inhabitants of The Vale, leaving no mention of any bastards in the series. In the books, the most prominent bastard is Mya Stone, another illegitimate child of Robert Baratheon.

Bastards In The Reach Are Called Flowers

The Reach is famously portrayed in Game of Thrones through characters like Margaery Tyrell and Olenna Tyrell. However, the series does not feature many of the bastards from The Reach. One noteworthy exception is Jafer Flowers, a member of the Night's Watch who disappears beyond the Wall. Jon Snow's direwolf discovers Jafer's severed hand, which unveils the bodies of Jafer and other missing Night's Watch brothers. It is conceivable that another prominent bastard of the Reach, Tom Flowers, known as the Bastard of Bitterbridge, may make an appearance in House of the Dragon. Tom Flowers is renowned for fighting in the Dance of the Dragons on the side of Rhaenyra Targaryen.

Bastards In The Riverlands Are Called Rivers

The Riverlands hold significant importance in the realm of Game of Thrones. Catelyn Stark and her family, hailing from House Tully, originate from this region of Westeros. However, it is not just Catelyn Stark's lineage that holds significance, as the Riverland bastards also play vital roles in the history of Westeros. One such individual is Brynden Rivers, the offspring of King Aegon IV Targaryen, who rises to the position of Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. While this connection remains unexplored in Game of Thrones itself, there exists a theory proposing that Brynden Rivers is none other than the enigmatic Three-Eyed Raven. Additionally, the Riverlands boast another notable bastard, Black Walder, the eldest son of Walder Frey. House of the Dragon season 2 will introduce yet another Riverland bastard, Alys Rivers, who forges a relationship with Aemond Targaryen.

House Of The Dragon Shows Even More Severe Consequences For Bastards

House of the Dragon highlights the ongoing struggles faced by bastards in Westeros, as depicted in the prequel series. Presently, Rhaenyra has been accused, rightfully so, of bearing three illegitimate children, presumably with Ser Harwin, as they do not resemble her husband, Ser Laenor Velaryon. This revelation deepens the existing divisions within the Targaryen family, particularly among those who seek to expose this fact publicly. Needless to say, such a disclosure would create significant turmoil in Westeros, despite Ser Laenor's knowledge of the truth and his apparent acceptance of the boys as his own heirs, despite their lack of biological relation.

While Rhaenyra Targaryen's children have been spared from being labeled as "bastards" due to their mother's protection, the accusations of illegitimacy have wrought havoc within her family. House of the Dragon, a series that delves into the significance of family names, promises to intensify the drama by exploring the theme of bastards, thus reviving a concept that played a major role in Game of Thrones.