The Complete Aragorn Family Tree In The Lord Of The Rings Explained

In “The Lord of the Rings,” though Sauron might be the title’s namesake, another character equally significant is highlighted – Aragorn. Known as Strider, he’s the future king who claims the throne of Gondor in the story’s conclusion. He’s a hero of Middle-earth and a skilled leader who eventually proves to be a wise ruler. Contrary to modern concepts like elections or merit-based positions, Aragorn’s rule is not something he wins through popular vote or military achievements; instead, it’s tied to lineage and bloodlines. The question then arises: What grants Aragorn the legitimacy to rule Gondor and its northern sister kingdom of Arnor?

We delved deep into Tolkien’s archives to decipher the reasons behind Aragorn’s claim to the throne, and it turns out there are multiple valid arguments. In fact, quite a few! However, each one by itself can be quite perplexing. Aragorn is linked to numerous kings, queens, noble families, and rulers spanning thousands of years. For added complexity, an angel is also part of the mix. If you’ve ever pondered about how Aragorn came to rule a kingdom in Middle-earth, here’s a comprehensive look at his family history.

Aragorn has angelic and Elvish blood

Aragorn’s most ancient forebearer is Melian, a female entity belonging to the otherworldly race known as the Maiar, spiritual beings who inhabited the world at its creation. The book “Unfinished Tales” refers to this spiritual group as individuals of the ‘angelic’ order, and they significantly influence Middle-earth’s formation and history.

Melian plays a significant role in safeguarding the Elves from an early stage, serving as the head of a council known as the Five Protectors. This group consists of figures such as Saruman, Gandalf, Radagast, and possibly the enigmatic Blue Wizards of Middle-earth who eventually journeyed to the lands of Rhûn, although their exact involvement is not entirely certain.

In due course, Melian transforms into a tangible being and establishes a life with a potent Elven monarch known as Thingol. During the First Age of Middle-earth chronology, she governs over a realm called Doriath. She also constructs the Girdle of Melian – a mystical barricade that perplexes intruders and obstructs them from reaching the concealed forest sanctuary. Regarded as incredibly sagacious, Melian and Thingol eventually bear a child, Lúthien, who is half-Elven and half-Ainur.

Aragorn connects back to Melian’s daughter Lúthien (and her husband Beren)

Lúthien Tinúviel is the child born to Melian and Thingol. She’s a noble princess with extraordinary abilities, who holds a pivotal position in “The Silmarillion.” Essentially, her captivating tale unfolds when she encounters a mortal gentleman named Beren as he penetrates the barrier set by Melian. Instant attraction ensues; however, Thingol is hesitant about his daughter marrying a wandering nobleman, so he tasks Beren with an arduous mission: to retrieve one of the sacred jewels called the Silmarils from the possession of the Dark Overlord Morgoth.

Together, Beren and Lúthien embarked on a perilous journey to complete their mission. They faced terrifying dangers such as death itself, only to miraculously revive together. This unforgettable pair is iconic in J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy works, with the author even choosing to inscribe their names on his shared gravestone with his spouse. Interestingly, Aragorn shares a distant bloodline with them.

Aragorn is related to Tuor and Idril of Gondolin

Tolkien was particular about the infrequent intermarriage between the human race and the long-lived elven race, such as Aragorn’s union with Arwen, Beren and Lúthien, and the marriage of Tuor (a Man) and Idril (an Elf).

In another time during the concealed realm of the First Age, known as Gondolin, resided Idril, an enchanting Elven princess. When Tuor entered their hidden kingdom, a profound bond ignited between them, resulting in a son named Eärendil. Regrettably, Morgoth’s formidable forces uncovered the kingdom, leading to its devastation. In the chaos, both Idril and Tuor played crucial roles in guiding a band of Elves to safety. Notably, it was during this period that Glorfindel, an illustrious Elven hero, valiantly overcame a balrog single-handedly.

In conclusion, Tuor and Idril aid in establishing a home for the refugees on the western shores of Middle-earth, where they gaze westward, seeking assistance from the ever-rising and indomitable Morgoth. Over time, Tuor and Idril embark on a voyage westward, and folklore suggests that Tuor, unique among Men, was recognized as an Elf and granted entry into the eternal West. However, they left their grown son Eärendil behind.

Aragorn is a direct descendant of Eärendil, the ultimate Middle-earth hero

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythos, Eärendil stands out as the most renowned seafarer. He’s a blend of Elven and Human ancestry, and he wed Elwing, the granddaughter of Beren and Lúthien. Essentially, this union combines the mixed-Elven, mixed-Human, and angelic lineages in Middle-earth into one extraordinary pairing, linking back to Aragorn centuries later.

In a different part of the universe (not Mars), Eärendil and Elwing journey across the seas in search of aid against Morgoth. Their plea is accepted, and Eärendil’s ship ascends to the heavens, where it becomes a celestial symbol of hope for the free folk of Middle-earth. Eärendil plays a pivotal role in “The Silmarillion” tale and the First Age, as his life’s events are significant milestones leading up to his heroic deeds. For millennia, he remains an influential figure in the struggle against evil. Moreover, Elwing’s pregnancy with twin sons, Elros and Elrond (yes, that Elrond), takes place before their voyage for help.

Aragorn is related to Elrond and Elros

a mortal existence or an eternal one. Elrond elects to live forever and goes on to be renowned for his wisdom, serving as a leader in combating Sauron, and eventually fathering a young Elven maiden named Arwen.

Elros, surprisingly, chooses a different route, one that ultimately leads to Aragorn. By opting for mortality, Elros establishes the first kingdom of Númenor, a coastal landmass he discovers and guides his people towards. For more than four centuries, he reigns over this nation he founded. Though not immortal, Elros and his kin possess extraordinary longevity, a trait that persists through generations. This is the reason Aragorn appears to be in his prime during the War of the Ring, despite being in his late 80s. Despite being mortal, his lineage and ancestry have bestowed upon him an extended lifespan.

Aragorn is related to Númenórean royalty

Upon our arrival at Elros, the lineage of Aragorn undergoes a transformation into the noble royal dynasty of ancient Numenor, boasting countless monarchs who ruled for thousands of years. While we won’t bore you with a comprehensive list, there are some delightful names among them that only Tolkien could conceive. Among these intriguing rulers are Tar-Palantir, Tar-Míriel, and r-Pharazôn. These three stand out because they make appearances in Amazon Prime’s “The Rings of Power” series.

In “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” Season 1, King Tar-Palantir (Ken Blackburn), who is an elder ruler, passes away. His daughter, Tar-Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), also appears in the series and tragically loses her sight due to the eruption of Mount Doom. In Season 2, Ar-Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle), who is Míriel’s cunning relative, ascends the throne. All three characters share a distant bloodline with Aragorn and significantly influence the history of Númenor. However, it’s actually a branch of their family that holds the greatest significance in relation to the Ranger’s genealogy.

Aragorn is also related to Elendil and Isildur

As a gamer, I hail from the esteemed lineage known as the Lords of Andúnië, namely Elendil and his son, Isildur. Although we held significant power and influence, we weren’t kings – that is, until the Second Age of Middle-earth when Ar-Pharazôn usurped the throne, eventually leading to the devastation of Númenor and its island.

The survivors, led by my father Elendil, found refuge on the shores of this vast world. It was there that we established two sister realms: Arnor in the northern lands and Gondor, situated in the south. While technically a king over both, I chose to reside primarily in Arnor, leaving my brother Isildur and Anárion to rule Gondor together.

As a gamer immersed in Middle-earth lore, I find myself standing shoulder to shoulder with Elendil and Isildur, key figures in the tumultuous Second Age’s battle against Sauron, a conflict that’s now unfolding in “The Rings of Power.” When Sauron’s power reaches an almost unstoppable peak, Elendil rallies the human realms alongside Elves like Elrond to wage war on the Dark Lord in the War of the Last Alliance. This epic clash is vividly depicted in the prologue of Peter Jackson’s “The Fellowship of the Ring.” Tragically, Elendil falls in this fierce battle, while Isildur seizes the One Ring from Sauron’s grasp, claiming it for his own. This fateful decision sets in motion a chain of events that ultimately leads to the epic tale recounted in “The Lord of the Rings.

Aragorn comes from a long line of kings and Dúnedain chieftains

Following Sauron’s initial downfall at Isildur’s hand, Gondor experienced prosperity for countless centuries, although it gradually weakened. This kingdom remained intact until the War of the Ring, three millennia later. Ultimately, the royal line from which Aragorn descends ceased to exist, and stewards assumed control as they awaited a monarch to reclaim the throne – a state of affairs that persisted during “The Lord of the Rings” era.

In the northern region, however, the sister kingdom of Arnor experiences a unique destiny. Over time, it disintegrates into smaller realms due to internal conflicts and is threatened by the Witch-king of Angmar. Although the Witch-king is eventually vanquished, Arnor meets its end approximately two-thirds through its existence. After ruling for over two thousand years and having numerous kings, the leaders of Arnor go into exile, surviving as the Dúnedain of the North. This displaced and nomadic remnant of the Númenórean race gradually diminishes until it consists of a small group of powerful and wise Rangers who lack political authority but operate more like vigilantes, offering assistance to those in need while lacking official power.

In times of exile, this lineage of Aragorn’s royal ancestry remains undeterred in their uninterrupted succession of kingship. As stated in “The Return of the King” appendices, “It was the pride and marvel of the Northern Line that, though their authority faded and their numbers dwindled, through all the countless generations, the succession remained unbroken from father to son.” For 16 consecutive generations, one leader after another carries on the torch of kingship, each patiently awaiting their turn in exile.

Aragorn is actually Aragorn II

In the group of displaced royal refugees, two prominent Dúnedain chieftains stand out, with one being Aragorn, who is actually known as Aragorn II. Before him was Aragorn I, a chieftain who lived for exactly a century and was killed by wolves, an event that continued to pose danger in Eriador. The second-to-last chieftain was Arathorn II, Aragorn’s father. Arathorn was relatively older when he got married, and in a sense, could be called a “younger man marrying an older woman.” He wedded Aragorn’s mother, Gilraen, despite her being younger than the age at which Dúnedain women typically marry, as noted in the same appendix. However, they formed a union due to a prophecy that suggested if they didn’t, hope might not return for many years.

In the passage of time, Arathorn marries Gilraen, and subsequently, they welcome their son, who would later be known as Aragorn. Two years following this joyous event, Arathorn embarks on a perilous journey with Elrond’s twin sons to combat Orcs. Tragically, he meets his end after being struck by an arrow in the eye. This leaves his young son, Aragorn, as the Chief of the Dúnedain and the heir to both Gondor and Arnor’s thrones. For a while, Gilraen continues to play a significant role in her son’s life. Eventually, Aragorn and baby Aragorn are taken to Rivendell, where Elrond offers them refuge. As Aragorn matures, he develops feelings for Arwen, but his mother expresses concern about their immortal-mortal relationship. Aragorn ventures off on further adventures, while Gilraen returns to her people, eventually passing away at the age of 100.

Aragorn has lots of in-laws through his wife, Arwen

At this stage in the narrative, we reach where “The Lord of the Rings” unfolds, yet unraveling Aragorn’s ancestry proves intricate. The complexity arises due to his family ties by marriage. To start with, you might know that he is married to Arwen. However, their relationship goes beyond matrimony; they are also distant cousins, linked through countless generations of Aragorn’s forebears. Yet, the connection is so remote that it becomes practically irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

Through marriage with Arwen, Aragorn establishes a legal bond with Elrond, becoming his son-in-law instead of merely a foster son. Arwen also adds brothers to Aragorn’s family, being Elladan and Elrohir, her twin siblings. Furthermore, Aragorn gains a mother-in-law in Celebrían, who is both Arwen’s mother and Elrond’s spouse. Unfortunately, Celebrían isn’t present in “The Lord of the Rings” due to injuries she suffered at the hands of Orcs around five hundred years prior. Her sons rescued her, but Elrond was only able to heal her body; her mind and spirit sustained severe damage, leading her to depart for the Grey Havens early in search of healing.

In addition to Arwen’s immediate family, there’s also her grandmother, Galadriel. This is because Celebrían, Arwen’s mother, is the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn. Therefore, Galadriel and Celeborn can be considered as Aragorn’s in-laws, being the powerful couple of Lothlórien.

Aragorn has kids of his own

So far, we’ve traced Aragorn’s family lineage extensively, from the beginning of Middle-earth to the War of the Ring and the conclusion of the Third Age. However, there’s more to explore as his family tree extends beyond his lifetime. After Aragorn and Arwen assume their rule over their new kingdom, they welcome children. The exact number of offspring remains unknown, but it is certain that after Aragorn passes away, Arwen chooses to leave her realm, grieving deeply. This is mentioned in the appendices of “The Return of the King.

In the storyline, there are several daughters and one son named Eldarion among Aragorn’s offspring. Eventually, Eldarion ascends to the throne following his father’s self-sacrifice at 210 years old. Unfortunately, we don’t learn much more about Aragorn’s children within the confines of “The Lord of the Rings.” However, Tolkien planned a sequel titled “The New Shadow,” which unfolds a century into Eldarion’s reign. If the esteemed author had finished this follow-up to his epic Middle-earth tale, we might have gained additional insights into Aragorn’s family. At present, the family tree concludes with an undisclosed number of children for Aragorn.

2025-07-26 16:31