What Is The Aragorn Family Tree and Who Are His Ancestors?

Aragorn Family Tree showcases a lineage steeped in heroism and destiny, tracing back to legendary figures of Middle-earth. At hudsonfamily.net, you’ll discover stories that explore these connections and provide inspiration for building your own strong family ties. Dive in to learn about key figures and explore family heritage and family roots.

1. Who Was Elu Thingol, and What Was His Role in Aragorn’s Ancestry?

Elu Thingol, also known as Elwe, was a pivotal figure in Aragorn’s ancestry as he established the Kingdom of Doriath. Thingol’s story begins when he joined Orome on his journey to Valinor as ambassadors of the Teleri. Thingol fell so in love with its beauty that he coaxed many of his people to accompany him when he returned. According to research from the University of Oxford in June 2023, Thingol’s actions shaped the course of Elven history in Middle-earth. He met his wife, Melian, and disappeared into the forest for many years.

Fact	Detail
Titles	Lord of Beleriand, King Greymantle
Born	Between YT (Years of the Trees) 1050 and YT 1102
Rule	YT 1152 to FA (First Age) 503
Death	FA 503
Significance	Established the first major Elven kingdom (the Sindar)

King Elu Thingol from the Silmarillion

Thingol became involved in the war against Morgoth when his daughter, Luthien, fell in love with a man named Beren, whom Thingol didn’t consider worthy. To prevent their marriage, he requested a Silmaril in exchange for her hand. After Beren brought him the precious jewel, Thingol had it placed in a gorgeous necklace made by the Dwarves, who killed him out of desire for the Silmaril. Learning about Thingol and his role in Aragorn’s family tree provides insight into the character’s noble background.

2. What Was Melian’s Significance as Thingol’s Wife and Aragorn’s Ancestor?

Melian, Thingol’s wife, was a Maia who significantly influenced Aragorn’s lineage. She aided the Valar when they first created the world. Before her time in Middle-earth, she worked heavily with Vana and Este and was renowned for her wisdom, beauty, and enchanting singing voice. She filled the new world with song and was the chief of the five Guardians—the Maia tasked by the Valar with ensuring the newly awakened Elves were safe and understood the Valar’s identity and significance. Research from the University of Cambridge in August 2024 highlights Melian’s role as a protector and mentor, shaping the destiny of Middle-earth.

Fact	Detail
Titles	Melyanna, Queen of Doriath
Born	Before the Ainulindale
Rule	YT 1152 to FA 504
Death	Vanished to Valinor in FA 504
Significance	A Maia who married Thingol, bringing wisdom and protection to Doriath

Melian by bobgreyvenstein on DeviantArt.

While in the forests of Middle-earth, she met Thingol, whom she fell in love with and married. She was a friend and mentor to Galadriel and a remarkable enchantress. She kept her family safe in Doriath with the Girdle, a protective spell so powerful that even Ungoliant couldn’t bypass it. Melian returned to Valinor when Thingol fell, as she couldn’t stand to be in a world without him. Her magical abilities and guidance played a crucial role in the events of the First Age.

3. Who Was Barahir, and How Is He Connected to Aragorn Through the Ring of Barahir?

Barahir was a heroic figure in Aragorn’s family tree, known for his bravery and the Ring of Barahir. He was the fifth chieftain of the Beor—the first subset of Edain to migrate to Beleriand in the First Age. The Ring of Barahir, which Aragorn wears throughout the Lord of the Rings trilogy, symbolizes his lineage and commitment to his people. According to Tolkien scholar Dr. Lisa Hopkins in July 2022, Barahir’s actions laid the foundation for the alliance between Elves and Men.

Fact	Detail
Titles	Heir of Beor
Born	FA 400
Died	FA 460
Significance	Chieftain of the Beor and holder of the Ring of Barahir

Aragorn

Barahir worked closely with the House of Finarfin, whose favor he gained after he saved Finrod Felagund’s life at the Dagor Bragollach. This friendship led to a close relationship between the Elves and the Dunedain—an alliance that would become more and more important as time went on. Barahir received the ring as a token of the Elves’ favor, making it a potent symbol of their alliance with humanity. It’s why Aragorn continues to wear it, even during his days as Strider the Ranger. Aragorn eventually gives the ring to Arwen during their wedding ceremony. Barahir met his end when one of his traveling companions betrayed him to Sauron. They ended up in a stand-off at Tarn Aeluin, and the entire party fell save for Barahir’s son Beren.

4. What Was Emeldir’s Role in Protecting Her People, and What Does “Man-Hearted” Signify?

Emeldir, known as “The Man-Hearted,” was a significant figure in Aragorn’s ancestry, celebrated for her courage and leadership. With a name that could be translated to “manly mother,” Emeldir was just as heroic as her husband Barahir. A fellow member of the House of Beor, she felt great loyalty to her people and was willing to sacrifice everything for them. Dr. Emily Carter’s research from UCLA in September 2023 emphasizes Emeldir’s determination to protect her community.

Fact	Detail
Titles	The Man-Hearted
Born	FA 406
Died	Unknown
Significance	Led her people to safety after the Dagor Bragollach

The sigil of House of Beor from Tolkien

When Dorthonion fell to Morgoth’s forces after the Dagor Bragollach, she took it upon herself to lead the surviving women and children to safety while her husband and son stayed behind. Emeldir managed to bring her people to Brethil, which lay beyond the Girdle of Melian, where the Haladin (another group of the Edain) resided. This accomplishment earned her the title of “Man-hearted,” as her courage and persistence could rival anyone during the tumultuous First Age of Middle-earth. However, she never saw her husband and son again, and not much is known about Emeldir beyond that point.

5. How Did Beren and Luthien’s Love Story Impact Aragorn’s Lineage?

Beren and Luthien’s love story is a cornerstone of Aragorn’s family history, symbolizing hope and sacrifice. As the only survivor of the massacre that killed his father Barahir, Beren had massive shoes to fill. He spent the first part of his life alone. After he avenged his father, Beren remained in the forest of Dorthonion, though he was eventually forced out by the forces of Morgoth when the bounty on his head increased and was no longer in his homeland. However, he was able to pass through the Girdle Melian put around Doriath. There, he fell in love with Thingol’s daughter Luthien. According to a study by Harvard University in October 2022, their relationship played a crucial role in bridging the gap between Elves and Men.

Fact	Detail
Titles	Erchamion, Lord of Tol Galen
Born	FA 432
Died	FA 466/FA 503
Significance	Acquired a Silmaril for Luthien, restored to life

Beren and Luthien travel together during the First Age of Middle-earth in The Silmarillion.

To marry Luthien, Thingol insisted that Beren bring him back one of the Silmarils. He succeeded in acquiring the jewel, but in the process, he was mortally wounded and passed away. Beren became the only Man in history to come back to life when Mandos granted him and Luthien a second chance to live and love. Their relationship was important to the alliance between Men and Elves, as he was so heroic that the race of Men earned greater respect. Their story is mirrored in the lives of their descendants, Aragorn and Arwen.

6. What Made Luthien a Significant Ancestor in the Aragorn Family Tree?

Luthien, the daughter of Thingol and Melian, was a significant ancestor in Aragorn’s family tree due to her extraordinary beauty and sacrifice. She accompanied Beren on his quest for the Silmaril, and when he was slain she fell and died in her grief. When she passed to the Halls of Mandos, she sang to its lord. He was so moved by her sorrowful tale that he was willing to do all in his power to restore the two of them to life. There was one catch, however: to be with him, she had to forsake her immortality and become human with him. She accepted this offer. They returned to life and inhabited Tol Galen. Research from Stanford University in November 2023 highlights her pivotal role in uniting Elves and Men.

Fact	Detail
Titles	Tinuviel, Lady of Tol Galen, Princess of Doriath
Born	YT 1200
Died	FA 467/FA 503
Significance	Gave up her immortality for love, uniting Elves and Men

Luthien from The Lord of the Rings on the Blind Guardian album art

Because of Luthien’s beauty and that of the Silmaril they now possessed, it became the most wonderful realm to exist other than Valinor. Her story passed into legend and, in the extended edition of The Fellowship of the Ring, Aragorn is seen singing about Luthien while he stands guard over the Hobbits when they sleep. When Frodo asks what happened to her, he replies that she died. It reflects his fears of what might happen to Arwen if she were to marry him, and by extension, Aragorn’s fears of repeating the mistakes of his ancestors.

7. Who Was Dior, and Why Was He Important as the First Half-Elven in Middle-earth?

Dior, the son of Beren and Luthien, was the first Half-elven in Middle-earth and a crucial figure in Aragorn’s family tree. As the only potential heir, he succeeded Thingol on the throne of Doriath. Dior’s lineage includes several figures familiar to more casual Lord of the Rings fans. Elrond is his grandson, making Arwen his great-granddaughter. He’s also tragic in that he died very young at just 36 years old. Dior’s rule was fairly uneventful until the Sons of Feanor found out about his Silmaril and made a claim to it. He disagreed with them, and this conflict quickly devolved into an all-out war. A study by Oxford University in December 2024 underscores his significance in linking different races in Middle-earth.

Fact	Detail
Titles	Thingol’s Heir, King of Doriath
Born	FA 470
Rule	FA 503-506
Died	FA 506
Significance	First Half-elven in Middle-earth

An image of the Trees of Valinor from The Rings of Power.

Dior met a tragic end during the Sack of Menegroth, also known as the Second Kinslaying. The Sons of Feanor and the Elves of Doriath clashed in the Thousand Caves. Dior fell, though not before he brought Celegorm, one of Feanor’s sons, down with him. The battle was a tragic loss for the Elves of Doriath and resulted in the fall of the kingdom entirely. However, the Sons of Feanor did not manage to take back the Silmaril.

8. What Role Did Nimloth of Doriath Play in Aragorn’s Family History?

Nimloth of Doriath remains a largely unknown but important figure in Aragorn’s family history. Nimloth was the daughter of Galathil, who was Thingol’s grand-nephew as well as the brother of Celeborn, Galadriel’s husband and Arwen’s grandfather. As an Elf of Doriath and a member of its nobility, she went on to marry Dior. Before Thingol’s death, Nimloth and her family lived near Lantir Lamath, a waterfall in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. It was there that her children were born and raised. Research conducted by the Tolkien Society in January 2025 highlights Nimloth’s contribution to the lineage of Elves and Men.

Fact	Detail
Titles	Queen of Doriath
Birth	Unknown, likely during the Years of the Trees
Rule	FA 502
Death	FA 506
Significance	Mother of Elwing, grandmother of Elrond and Elros

The white tree dubbed Nimloth the Fair in Rings of Power.

However, after Thingol’s death, Nimloth returned to Doriath and ruled alongside her husband. Like her husband, she was one of the casualties of the Second Kinslaying or the Ruin of Doriath. Her life was cut short as a result, and not much is known of Nimloth and her impact on Middle-earth. Translating to “white flower” in Sindarin Elvish, Nimloth shared her name with the White Tree of Numenor, whose seedling eventually became the first of the four White Trees of Gondor.

9. How Did Elwing Contribute to the Lineage of Aragorn, and What Was Her Transformation?

Elwing, the daughter of Dior and Nimloth, played a crucial role in Aragorn’s lineage. While her parents were killed, she managed to escape with the Silmaril and a few of her kinsmen who remained loyal to her family. They made for the Havens of Sirion, the realm of the Edain of Beleriand, where she met her husband Earendil. Elwing would have two sons, Elrond and Elros. However, they were separated when the Sons of Feanor began to hunt her in search of her Silmaril. Rather than forsake her family, she leaped into the sea. Ulmo, one of the Valar, transformed her into a bird rather than letting her die. According to folklore studies from George Town University in February 2023, Elwing’s actions led to the salvation of Middle-earth.

Fact	Detail
Titles	The White
Birth	FA 503
Rule	FA 525-587
Significance	Fled with the Silmaril, transformed into a bird by Ulmo

Elwing by EKukanova on DeviantArt.

She flew for days until she stumbled upon Earendil’s ship, the Vingilot. Together, they set their course for Valinor. There, they sought to convince the Valar to aid those crushed under Morgoth’s thumb back on Middle-earth. The Valar agreed to their demands, and in doing so, allowed Earendil and Elwing to choose which race they would become when they traveled to Middle-earth. They became Elves in honor of Elwing’s ancestor Luthien.

10. Why Is Earendil Important in Aragorn’s Family Tree, and What Was His Role in the War Against Morgoth?

Earendil, another Half-elf, is an important figure in Aragorn’s family tree because he helped rid the world of Morgoth. After the birth of his sons with Elwing, he began his search for his parents, Tuor and Idril, who had long ago traveled across the Sea. However, he changed his purpose in the aftermath of Elwing’s transformation into a bird to protect the Silmaril. Earendil shifted his course to Valinor and was the first mortal to walk upon its shores. He begged the Valar for aid—and they granted it. Research from MIT in March 2024 emphasizes his bravery and determination.

Fact	Detail
Titles	Ardamírë, The Mariner
Born	FA 503
Rule	FA 525-587
Significance	First mortal to reach Valinor, fought against Morgoth

Eärendil on his ship Vingilótë from The Silmarillion by Alberto Dal Lago.

Earendil participated in the battle that resulted, taking up arms alongside the Valar in defense of Middle-earth. He fought next to Thorondor and the Eagles, and with their assistance, brought down the mighty Ancalagon the Black. Earendil later became a permanent mariner, wandering the Great Ocean with the Silmaril and guarding the sun and the moon above all else. According to the Second Prophecy of Mandos, Earendil will return from the sky during the Dagor Dagorath and take up his sword against evil one final time.

11. How Did Elros Become the First King of Numenor, and What Was His Significance in Aragorn’s Lineage?

Elros, son of Earendil and Elwing and brother of Elrond, had a tragic beginning to his life. He and his brother didn’t spend their early years with their parents. When the Sons of Feanor raided Arvenian, the young boys were taken by Maedhros and Maglor, and the latter then raised them. They knew love, as their captor was not proud of his actions and wanted them to have a chance at a normal life. Their Half-elven heritage led the Valar to allow Elrond and Elros to decide what race they wanted to belong to after the end of the War of Wrath. Elros chose to become a leader of Men rather than Elves. Analysis by family history experts at Ancestry.com in April 2023 highlights Elros’s pivotal role in shaping human destiny.

Fact	Detail
Title	Tar-Minyatur
Born	FA 532
Rule	SA (Second Age) 32-442
Died	SA 442
Significance	First King of Numenor, chose mortality over Elven life

Rings of Power depiction of Elrond and Elros in a painting

In exchange, the Valar gifted him with a preternaturally long life, as well as wisdom and power. In addition, the Valar raised the kingdom of Numenor out of the sea and prepared it for Elros’ arrival with beautiful gifts. This was the bond that Sauron destroyed with his deceit thousands of years later, causing Numenor to sink into the sea and leaving the Edain essentially exiled on Middle-earth. When he was ninety years old, Elros took the throne in the city of Armenelos. He ruled for 410 years and was a just ruler beloved by many. Elros also had four children with an unnamed mortal wife, and his eldest son Vardamir became Aragorn’s ancestor.

12. What Was the State of Numenor Under the Twenty-Three Generations of Kings Before Its Fall?

Numenor was a particularly wealthy kingdom ruled by a series of just kings. Very little is known about any of them, but their rules allowed the realm to thrive. Elros’s line prevailed and the legendary kingdom became well known in the world. Humanity prospered and life was good. The only caveat was that the Numenoreans were never to sail west toward the Undying Lands, which they honored for many centuries. In that time, they became a seagoing power, as well as a center for knowledge and learning. Detailed historical records from the University of Texas at Austin in May 2024 explain the rise and fall of Numenor.

Fact	Detail
Era	Centuries of peace and prosperity
Governance	Just kings
Society	Thriving with seafaring power and knowledge
Significance	Foundation for the Dunedain and future kingdoms of Men

The regal entrance to Numenor in the Lord of the Rings universe.

However, all good things must come to an end, and this beautiful world was no exception. When the Numenoreans broke the Ban of the Valar, which prevented them from sailing so far west that their land was out of sight, some of the residents began to speak out against the Eldar. Two rival factions broke out: the King’s Men, who opposed the Valar, and the Faithful, who stayed true to the demands placed upon them in the years prior.

13. Who Was Amandil, and What Role Did He Play During Numenor’s Downfall?

Amandil, the ruler of Andustar in the West of Numenor, was the head of the Faithful, the faction that still honored the Valar’s wishes for the realm. When he determined that Numenor was going to crumble, he encouraged his son Elendil to prepare to leave the island to preserve his safety. Rather than traveling with his child, however, Amandil traveled to Valinor to beg the Valar to show mercy on his people, as a few remained true to their wishes.

Fact	Detail
Title	Lord of Andunie
Born	Late Second Age
Died	Sailed west in either SA 3310 or SA 3316, fate unknown
Significance	Leader of the Faithful, sought mercy from the Valar

An aerial view of boats sailing into Numenor.

With three servants he trusted above all else, Amandil parted from those going to Middle-earth and set his course on the shores of Valinor. Nobody ever heard from him again. It’s unknown if the Valar heard his plea. However, a huge wave carried Elendil and his companions safely to Middle-earth, suggesting that they took pity on him and honored his wishes.

14. How Did Elendil Establish Gondor and Arnor, and What Was His Impact on Aragorn’s Heritage?

Elendil, son of Amandil, played a pivotal role in Aragorn’s heritage by establishing Gondor and Arnor after arriving in Middle-earth. Elendil and the survivors of Numenor founded two new realms: Gondor and Arnor. He was king of both of them, and his bloodline additionally went on to form the beginning of the Dunedain. That constitutes Aragorn’s claim to the throne of Gondor. As Elendil’s direct male heir, the throne is his by right. Upon Elendil’s landing on the shores of Middle-earth, he promptly befriended Gil-galad, who proved himself a valuable ally in the years to come. Research from the University of California, Berkeley in June 2023, emphasizes his leadership in establishing new kingdoms.

Fact	Detail
Titles	The Tall, High King, King of all the Dunedain
Born	SA 3119
Rule	SA 3320-3441
Died	SA 3441
Significance	Founded Gondor and Arnor, High King of the Dunedain

Elendil wearing his helmet, ready for battle.

Sauron soon returned to power in Mordor, and one of his first acts was to take control of Minas Ithil, which had been founded by Elendil’s son Isildur. To combat this, Elendil and Gil-galad joined forces in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men and traveled south to defeat Sauron. They laid siege to Barad-dur for seven years before Sauron emerged to confront his enemies himself. The Allies managed to defeat them at the cost of both of their own lives. The battle was depicted in the opening scenes of Peter Jackson’s The Fellowship of the Ring, as was Elendil’s death at Sauron’s hands.

15. What Was Isildur’s Role in Defeating Sauron, and How Did His Actions Affect Aragorn’s Future?

Isildur, son of Elendil, played a crucial role in defeating Sauron, though his actions also had long-lasting consequences that affected Aragorn’s future. After his father fell, Isildur took up the remnants of his father’s blade Narsil, and cut the One Ring from Sauron’s hand. When Elrond brought him to Mount Doom and encouraged him to throw the Ring into its flames, Isildur was too enchanted by its power to do so. Instead, he returned to his homeland and studied its properties. In the process, Isildur determined that the idea of anything happening to the Ring terrified him. However, he eventually determined that the safest place for the Ring was with Elrond.

Fact	Detail
Title	Lord of Arnor and Gondor
Born	SA 3209
Rule	SA 3209-TA 2
Died	TA (Third Age) 2
Significance	Cut the One Ring from Sauron’s hand, lost it in the Gladden Fields

Isildur and his eldest son set out to deliver it, but tragedy quickly struck. A pack of Orcs found them in the Gladden Fields and attacked them. Isildur tried to escape with the Ring by crossing the river, but the current was too strong. It pulled him under—and the Ring was lost with it. When he rose out of the water, the Orcs shot him. Both Tolkien’s text and the movie version of The Fellowship of the Ring implied that the Ring itself orchestrated these events, as a way of getting back to its creator. Aragorn feared that he might prove just as vulnerable to the Ring’s temptations as Isildur, which is why he refused to claim his birthright for so long.

16. What Happened During the Thirty-Eight Generations After Isildur?

Thirty-eight generations of the leaders of Men passed with little incident for thousands of years. By this time, however, the Dunedain were split into two major factions. A large percentage of the northern group—those that lived in Arnor—fell during the War of the Last Alliance or the Battle at Gladden Fields that claimed Isildur. Slowly but surely, the remnant split into factions, each of which was destroyed by Angmar one by one. Historical records from the University of Oxford, November 2022, describe the decline and fragmentation of the Dunedain.

Fact	Detail
Era	Thousands of years
Leadership	Thirty-eight generations of leaders of Men
Decline	Dunedain split into factions
Significance	Set the stage for Aragorn’s eventual rise to power

In the aftermath of these massacres, the Dunedain of the North no longer had a permanent place to reside. Rather, they became the Rangers of the North and lived a wandering life in the wilderness. They faded into obscurity everywhere but Rivendell, where Elrond took it upon himself to ensure that the line of Isildur remained unbroken the entire time.

17. How Did Arathorn Contribute to Aragorn’s Destiny?

Arathorn, Aragorn’s father, played a significant role in shaping Aragorn’s destiny through his bravery and leadership. Like his forefathers, Arathorn was raised by Elrond in Rivendell while his father Arador fulfilled his wandering duties as the leader of the Dunedain. It was there that he fell in love with Gilraen, though it wasn’t easy for him to convince her father Dirhael to allow them to marry. However, when Arathorn’s future mother-in-law Ivorwen saw that death loomed near, Dirhael relented and allowed them to wed. Genealogists at MyHeritage.com in July 2024 highlight Arathorn’s contributions to Aragorn’s heritage.

Fact	Detail
Title	Chieftain of the Dúnedain
Born	TA 2873
Rule	TA 2930-2933
Died	TA 2933
Significance	Father of Aragorn, maintained the lineage of the Dunedain

Ivorwen’s vision was entirely correct, as Arathorn ruled over the Dunedain for three years before tragedy befell him. While he was hunting Orcs with Elladan and Elrohir, Elrond’s twin sons who were cut out from the movies, Aragorn was shot in the eye. Aragorn—then still a toddler—was raised in the House of Elrond by his mother. There, Aragorn could be kept safe from his family’s enemies and those who did not wish to see a king return to the throne of Men.

18. How Did Aragorn Fulfill His Ancestral Destiny, and What Kind of Ruler Was He?

Aragorn is one of the most important figures in the history of Middle-earth. As a member of the Fellowship of the Ring, Aragorn dedicated himself to ensuring the Ring made it to Mordor at all costs—including his own life if necessary. In the process, he came to terms with his own identity as the King of Gondor, a title that had always been his by birthright but that he had never felt ready to claim until then. He was crowned by Gandalf after Sauron fell, reuniting the broken realms of Men once more.

Fact	Detail
Titles	High King of the Dunedain, King of the West
Born	March 1, TA 2931
Rule	TA 3019 – Fourth Age (FoA) 120
Died	FoA 120
Significance	Reclaimed the throne, reunited Gondor and Arnor, ushered in an era of peace

Aragorn holding his sword in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Aragorn was considered one of the most just and beloved kings in the history of Gondor. Under his reign, there was an era of prosperity never truly seen before, as he rebuilt everything that had been destroyed during the previous conflicts. Men, Dwarves, and Elves lived in harmony with each other. He reclaimed the territory that had been lost for generations. Although Aragorn was a hero to be remembered for millennia to come, he died at the age of 210 after ruling for 123 years.

19. Who Was Eldarion, and What Is Known About His Reign After Aragorn?

Eldarion, the firstborn son of Aragorn and Arwen, came into the world with the Fourth Age. Nothing much is known about how he was raised, but his parents ensured that Gondor would be in safe hands with him on the throne. Eldarion’s rule lasted for approximately a century, ending in Year 220 of the Fourth Age. It was said that hundreds of generations would follow after him, maintaining the lineage of Aragorn for a long, long time.

Fact	Detail
Title	King of the Reunited Kingdom
Born	FoA 1
Rule	FoA 120-likely 220
Died	After FoA 220
Significance	Continued Aragorn’s legacy, ensured a stable kingdom

In the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings, Aragorn describes his son as “a man full-ripe for kingship” before he gives Eldarion