There’s a lovely theory and hidden clue about Jon Snow’s name

Paul Moore

Ned Stark’s heroic status only grows.

In case you haven’t seen the Game of Thrones finale – seriously, who are these people? – then look away now.

As we face an unsure future about the fate of the Seven Kingdoms, there’s only one thing that’s certain. The realms of men will need Jon Snow/Aegon Targaryen more than ever.

After we learned that Jon/Aegon is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, it’s clear that his Stark and Targaryen lineage is the very embodiment of ice and fire.

After the Night King destroyed the Wall, it’s fitting that the former Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch must do battle with the leader of the dead.

We’ve already discussed the massive importance of the name Aegon Targaryen, but one Game of Thrones fan has shared a lovely theory as to why Ned Stark settled on the name Jon for his adopted nephew.

We’re assuming that you all know by now that Jon is the legitimate child of Rhaegar Targaryen (Dany’s older brother) and Lyanna Stark (Ned’s sister) – aka he’s not a bastard but the rightful heir to the Iron Throne?

Great.

Well, the theory states that Ned Stark named his nephew Jon in memory of a man that acted as a foster parent both him and Robert Baratheon when they were teenagers, Jon Arryn.

The theory states that “I know this has probably already occurred to everybody, but I was thinking about how Ned named his three sons after people who were close to him. Robb is named after Robert Baratheon, Bran is named after Ned’s brother Brandon, and Rickon is named after Ned’s father. But then I remembered that Jon is named after Jon Arryn, the man who wasn’t Ned’s father, but raised him like a son. That’s a really beautiful detail.”

In case you need reminding, Jon Arryn was the Lord of the Eyrie and the head of House Arryn. Before the events in Game of Thrones began, he was the Warden of the East and Defender of the Vale. The conspiracy and plot surrounding his murder by Littlefinger and Lysa Arryn was undoubtedly the biggest catalyst for the War of the Five Kings.

After spending a large part of their lives living with him, Jon Arryn was loved as a second father by both Ned and Robert. Fostering is not uncommon among the Lords of Westeros and it was generally done for political reasons. It also benefited the children as it exposed them to different lords, customs and cultures.

How fitting is it then that Ned Stark – like Jon Arryn – raised someone else’s child like it was of his one? As mentioned previously, Ned Stark really became one of the most vital characters in Season 7 of Game of Thrones.

Regarding Jon’s surname, Snow, in the season finale, there’s a scene where Sam meets Bran in Winterfell.

During their conversation, the Three-Eyed Raven rightfully says that Jon was born in the Tower of Joy at Dorne.

By Bran’s logic, Jon should have actually been called ‘Jon Sand’ because he’s a bastard that was born in Dorne.

During this moment, we all knew that Jon was a legitimate Targaryen, but in case you’re wondering about the naming structure that’s in place for any bastards that are born in the Seven Kingdoms, there’s actually a specific surname and rules for every bastard that’s born throughout the realm.

For example, bastards are not allowed to inherit their father’s lands or titles. They also have no claims to the privileges of their father’s House. It is up to their father, if he knows they exist, on how to raise or treat them.

All bastards born to a nobleman in Westeros have to identify themselves through a specific surname that identifies them as a bastard.

These names vary by region and here they are.