Children of Bastards in Westeros

In the world of A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, the term ldquo;bastardrdquo; is often used to describe a child born outside of a marriage. These children are generally not titled with a noble surname unless they are acknowledged and legitimized, typically by their noble parents.

What if Jon and Ygritte Had Married?

Let’s explore the scenario where Jon Snow, the illegitimate son of Lyanna Stark and Randolph Dustin, had married Ygritte, the wildling woman he fathered a child with. If Jon and Ygritte were to marry, their offspring would not be bastards, and thus, the naming conventions for such children would be significantly different.

Bastard Naming Practices in Westeros

In the world of Westeros, surnames often indicate a family's noble status. In the words of Eddard Stark, ldquo;Bastards are everyman’s child, and everyman should be at liberty to give them every advantage he can.rdquo; However, for high-born bastards, there's often more to their naming than meets the eye.

Bastards typically take on unique last names to distinguish them from their parents' noble houses. For instance, Tyrion Tanner was given his name by his mother, Lollys Stokeworth, to mark him as a bastard. This practice also extends to nobles who acknowledge and legitimize their bastards, often giving them a family name to strengthen kinship ties.

However, these naming conventions do not always apply to every bastard. Some, like Gendry, do not have a surname at all, simply carrying their father's name. Others, like Jon Snow, have surnames but are often noted to show their lowly status within the context of the noble houses.

The Marriage of Jon and Ygritte

The hypothetical marriage of Jon Snow and Ygritte presents a unique situation. If they were to marry in the customs of the wildlings, their children would likely not have a formal surname at all, as wildlings do not typically engage in formal marriages. Their names would simply be first names, reflecting their lack of noble status.

However, if Jon and Ygritte were to marry according to the customs of the Seven Kingdoms, Jon would likely need to take on a new surname to avoid marking his children as bastards. He would need to create a new house name and arms to signify this legitimacy. This is a common practice seen in real-life historical narratives, where families would sometimes create new house names when a male heir would be in noble succession.

For example, in the case of Alys Karstark and the Magnar of Thenn, they created a new house name and arms when their daughter was married off to a bastard who had the potential to become an heir. This practice ensures that the child would be treated as legitimate and recognized within the noble society.

The Importance of Last Names in Westeros

Having a last name in Westeros is a significant marker of status and power. It represents a family's lineage, wealth, and influence. For commoners and peasants, names often include descriptors like ldquo;the Archerrdquo; or ldquo;Duncan the Tall.rdquo;

Bastards of highborn but acknowledged status, like Jon Snow, have surnames to distinguish them from their noble parents. However, this is not always the case; many bastards, especially those of lowly birth, do not have surnames at all. Ygritte, a wildling, would not have a surname in this context, as wildlings do not typically use last names.

When a bastard child is to be legitimized or adopted into a noble house, they would take on the name and arms of their new house. For example, if Jon and Ygritte’s children were to be legitimized, they would likely take on a new surname and follow the customs of their new noble families.

In conclusion, if Jon Snow and Ygritte were to marry, the naming of their children would be significantly different from the scenario where they remained bastards. Their children would either retain no formal name at all or would be given a new, legally recognized surname, reflecting their new status as trueborn heirs.