A Complete Guide to the Important Houses in GoT. *S06 spoilers!

If there's one thing Game of Thrones is never short on, it's intrigue. At any given time the show is focused on the plans and plots of at least a dozen different people. So how do you keep them all straight? Try going by house. Every house in Westeros has its own identity, motto, loyalties, and enemies, which play into the decisions their members make. Here's a breakdown of all the major houses in Game of Thrones, based on where in Westeros they're located — and why they'll be important to the game in the long run.

House Stark.
Location: The North
Words: "Winter Is Coming"
Sigil: A gray direwolf on a white background
Major members:
* Sansa Stark, oldest daughter of Eddard and Catelyn and wife of Ramsay Bolton
* Arya Stark, youngest daughter of Eddard and Catelyn
* Brandon Stark, son of Eddard and Catelyn
* Rickon Stark, son of Eddard and Catelyn
* Benjen Stark, brother of Eddard and former member of the Night's Watch. Attacked by wights and kept alive with dragonglass by the Children of the Forest
* Jon Snow: Bastard son of Eddard Stark (or is he?), former Lord Commander of the Night's Watch
* Eddard Stark, former head of the Stark house — Deceased
* Catelyn Stark, wife of Eddard — Deceased
* Robb Stark, son of Eddard and Catelyn and former King in the North — Deceased
Why They Matter:
The Starks are the family that proved Game of Thrones fans can't have anything nice. But the way things are headed these days, one or more of them are on track to make big things happen in Westeros. Jon and Sansa are on track to have a showdown with Ramsay Bolton over Winterfell, and if Bran is the Three-Eyed Raven now, he could influence the future more than anyone. And of course, Jon Snow could end up saving the whole world

House Bolton (former Stark vassal house)
Location: The North
Words: "Our Blades Are Sharp"
Sigil: A flayed man
Major members:
* Ramsay Bolton, head of House Bolton and Warden of the North
* Roose Bolton, former head of House Bolton and father of Ramsay — Deceased
Why They Matter:
House Bolton is currently the dominant house in the North, after betraying andmurdering Robb Stark in season three and gathering the support of Houses Frey, Karstark, Umber, and Glover. Their current plan is to take down Jon Snow and get Sansa Stark back. Basically, they're the worst. However, if Jon and Sansa are able to gather enough support in the North and take him down . . . it could lead to the North rising again under the Starks.

House Mormont (Stark vassal house)
Location: Bear Island, in the North
Motto: "Here We Stand"
Sigil: A black bear in the woods
Major members:
* Ser Jorah Mormont, son of Jeor Mormont, the former head of House Mormont
* Lyanna Mormont, the current head of House Mormont and all-around BAMF
* Jeor Mormont, former Lord Commander of the Night's Watch — Deceased
Why They Matter:
Jeor Mormont saw something special in Jon Snow from the beginning, and is the one who gives Jon his Valyrian sword Longclaw. His son, Jorah Mormont, was caught selling slaves and left Westeros to evade capture by the Starks . . . fast-forward to him becoming the closest adviser to a little someone called Daenerys Targaryen. And as Dany says, when she takes Westeros back, she needs him at her side. If he lives that long. Sniff.
Lyanna Mormont is the most recently introduced Mormont, but she's already proved that she's the kind of ruler that Jon and Sansa want on their side. Sure, she isn't able to provide toomany soldiers to the Stark cause, but at this point, they can use all the help they can get.

House Glover (former Stark vassal house)
Location: The North
Sigil: A silver fist in chain mail on scarlet
Major members:
* Lord Robett Glover
Why They Matter: 
Lord Glover just turned down Jon Snow and Sansa Stark's request for help fighting against the Boltons. Lord Glover sent men to support Robb Stark when he went to war against the Lannisters, but when the Glover's seat at Deepwood Motte was attacked by the Greyjoys in season two, the Starks sent no aid. The Glovers aren't exactly lining up to fight another war for the Starks and instead are fighting for the Boltons.

House Umber (Former Stark Vassal House)
Location: The North
Sigil: Four chains linked in the center on a dark red background
Major members:
* Lord Smalljon Umber, son of the Greatjon
* Greatjon Umber — Deceased
Why They Matter: 
House Umber is sort of between loyalties at the moment but is leaning toward Bolton as well. They had been sworn to House Stark, and so Bran sent Osha and Rickon to the Umbers back in season four where he thought they could be safe. However, Lord Smalljon Umber has asked for the Boltons' help in fighting the wildlings in his land and turned over Osha and Rickon to Ramsay to sweeten the deal. AND he killed Rickon's direwolf. D*ck move, man.

House Karstark (former vassal to Stark)

Location: The North
Motto: "The Sun of Winter"
Sigil: White sunburst on black
Major members:

Lord Harrion Karstark, the current head of House Karstark
Lord Rickard Karstark, the former head of House Karstark — Deceased
Why They Matter:
House Karstark can actually trace their lineage back to House Stark itself and eventually became their own house that existed separate but loyal to the Starks. They become disillusioned with Robb Stark when he execute

House Lannister
Location: The Westerlands
Motto: "Hear Me Roar" (although "A Lannister Always Pays His Debts" is more common)
Sigil: A golden lion on crimson
Major members:
* Cersei Lannister, mother of King Tommen Baratheon
* Ser Jaime Lannister, twin brother of Cersei and former captain of the Kingsguard
* Tyrion Lannister, younger brother of Jaime and Cersei
* King Tommen "Baratheon," Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and bastard son of Jaime and Cersei Lannister
* Tywin Lannister, father of Jaime, Cersei, and Tyrion — Deceased
* Joffrey "Baratheon," former Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and bastard son of Jaime and Cersei Lannister — Deceased
* Myrcella "Baratheon," bastard daughter of Jaime and Cersei Lannister — Deceased
Why They Matter:
The Lannisters are perhaps the most cunning players of the Game of Thrones. Incest, betrayal, murder — they've done it all. Though their children should be listed under House Baratheon, it's an open secret that Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella come from twins Jaime and Cersei. They currently have control not only over their homeland of Casterly Rock in the west, but over the Crownlands as well with Tommen as king.
Far away in Meereen, Tyrion is doing his best to keep Daenerys's control intact. And though he is a Lannister, there's a theory that he may actually belong to another house.

House Clegane (Lannister vassal house)
Location: The Westerlands
Sigil: Three black dogs on a yellow field
Major members:
* Gregor Clegane, "the Mountain," personal bodyguard to Cersei Lannister
* Sandor Clegane, "the Hound," former bodyguard to King Joffrey and brother to Gregor
Why they matter:
The Mountain currently holds the title of scariest zombie giant in all the Seven Kingdoms, and nothing is going to happen to Cersei while he's around.
It looks like the Hound is currently seeking some sort of revenge on the Brotherhood Without Banners, who killed the religious group who saved his life and took him in.
However, since the Brotherhood operates in the Riverlands . . . could the Hound end up in the Riverrun conflict between the Freys, Tullys, and Lannisters? Who would he side with? He's not exactly on good terms with the Lannisters anymore.
And if what fans are hoping for comes true, the two brothers are headed for the ultimate showdown between the crown and the Faith: Cleganebowl.

House Targaryen
Location: Dragonstone, traditionally
Motto: "Fire and Blood"
Sigil: Three-headed red dragon on a black background
Major members:
* Daenerys Targaryen, sole surviving child of Aerys, the "Mad King." The Mother of Dragons, among other titles
* Viserys Targaryen, brother to Daenerys. Killed by Khal Drogo in season one — Deceased
* Rhaegar Targaryen, brother to Daenerys and Viserys, but killed by Robert Baratheon — Deceased
Why They Matter:
The Targaryens were the main ruling family in Westeros before Robert's Rebellion unseated the Mad King Aerys and cast out his children. Daenerys has been vowing to take the Iron Throne back in the name of her family for seasons — which likely means (if she ever gets to Westeros) eliminating a bunch of people along the way.

House Baratheon
Location: The Stormlands/Dragonstone
Motto: "Ours Is the Fury"
Sigil: A black stag on a gold background
Major members:
* Stannis Baratheon, younger brother to Robert. Executed by Brienne of Tarth — Deceased
* Selyse Baratheon, wife of Stannis. Died by suicide — Deceased
* Shireen Baratheon, daughter of Stannis. Burned at the stake at the hands of Stannis and Melisandre — Deceased
* Renly Baratheon, younger brother to Robert and Stannis. Killed by blood magic at the hands of Stannis and Melisandre — Deceased
* Robert Baratheon, older brother to Stannis and Renly and former Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. Died of injuries sustained during a boar hunt — Deceased
Why They Matter:
Eh, well . . . the Baratheons are basically extinct* in the show. Although their actions did set much of the show's events in motion (Robert naming Eddard Stark his Hand, Stannis's murder of his brother Renly with Melisandre's shadow baby), their part in the fate of Westeros seems to be over . . . because they're all dead.
*Honorable mention: In theory, Gendry is still out there somewhere, and if he was indeed the last of Robert's bastards, he's the only one left with Baratheon blood. Granted, it would take a lot for him to really make a difference in the future of Westeros, but don't we all just want to know he's OK?

House Tarth (Baratheon vassal house)
Location: The Stormlands/Dragonstone
Sigil: Four quarters, two rose and two blue opposite each other, with yellow suns on rose and white moons on blue
Major members:
* Brienne, former Kingsguard to Renly Baratheon, now sworn to protect Sansa Stark
Why They Matter:
Brienne has already been critical to many things happening in Game of Thrones — like Jaime surviving his capture during the War of the Five Kings and Sansa escaping pursuit from the Boltons. She's currently headed to Riverrun as the conflict between the Tullys, Freys, and Lannisters comes to a head. Brienne has never been one to shy away from a fight, and it's clear she'll do anything if she thinks it will help Sansa . . . even go up against Jaime.
Also she and Tormund are totally in love, so. Gotta have that happen.

House Seaworth (Baratheon vassal house)
Location: The Stormlands/Dragonstone
Sigil: A black ship on a gray background with a white onion on the sails
Major members:
* Ser Davos Seaworth, former Hand of the King to Stannis Baratheon
Why They Matter:
Davos has been through a lot following Stannis for so long. He's seen the damage the Boltons can do, and he believes in Jon Snow as a man worth following now. He's already proven to be an asset to the Jon and Sansa in their campaign to unite Northern houses against the Boltons, and he's got the experience to back it up. If you're going to plan a war, Davos Seaworth is a man you want on your side.

House Tyrell
Location: Highgarden in the Reach
Motto: "Growing Strong"
Sigil: Golden rose on a green field
Major members:
* Margaery Tyrell, wife of King Tommen
* Ser Loras Tyrell, brother of Margaery
* Olenna Tyrell, grandmother to Margaery and Loras
* Lord Mace Tyrell, father of Loras and Margaery and head of House Tyrell
Why They Matter: 
House Tyrell had it all going for them, until they didn't. Now the heir to Highgarden, Loras Tyrell is in prison and Queen Margaery is being watched very closely by the High Sparrow and seems to have admitted her sins and embraced the Faith.
However, the Margaery we know and love is no quitter and definitely not meek, and the note she passed to her grandmother in "The Broken Man" suggests she seems to be plotting something underneath her pious exterior. What that might hold for the High Sparrow, the Lannisters, and the crown itself . . . who knows.

House Tarly
Location: Horn Hill in the Reach
Sigil: A red striding hunstman on a green background
Major members:
* Lord Randyll Tarly, head of House Tarly
* Melessa Tarly, wife of Randyll
* Dickon Tarly, son of Randyll and Melessa and heir to Horn Hill
* Samwell Tarly, son of Randyll and former member of the Night's Watch
* Talla Tarly, sister to Samwell and Dickon
Why They Matter:
Samwell Tarly is the definition of a great friend, which isn't exactly common in a world like Game of Thrones. He's fiercely loyal to the people he cares about, like Gilly, Baby Sam, and Jon Snow. And his plan when he left Castle Black was to study to become a Maester in Oldtown in order to help Jon at the Wall.
Of course, leaving Gilly and Baby Sam safely at his home in Horn Hill didn't exactly work out, and Sam also doesn't know that his BFF is no longer the Lord Commander (or that he had been killed and brought back to life). But no matter what he does next, if Sam's past is any indication, he (and his badass Valyrian sword) shouldn't be counted out.

House Greyjoy
Location: The Iron Islands
Motto: "We Do Not Sow"
Sigil: Golden kraken on a black background
Major members:
* Theon Greyjoy, last surviving son of Balon
* Yara Greyjoy, daughter of Balon and sister to Theon
* Euron Greyjoy, brother of Balon and King of the Iron Islands
* Balon Greyjoy, former King of the Iron Islands — Deceased
Why They Matter:
The Greyjoys have been on the back burner for a while — with the most notable exception being when Theon went and pulled that brilliant stunt of taking over Winterfell for like five minutes. However, with the murder of King Balon Greyjoy by his power-greedy brother Euron (and Euron's subsequent coronation), it looks like the rest of Westeros might need to start getting a little nervous about the Greyjoys.
Theon and Yara have delayed Euron for now by stealing his idea (and ships) to go to Meereen and make a deal with Daenerys, presumably to offer her their ships if she'll help them defeat their uncle. Since Daenerys's own fleet is a bunch of scorched sticks at this point . . . there's a solid chance she could take them up on the offer. Would that mean she could FINALLY get going on her trip across the Narrow Sea?

House Martell
Location: Dorne
Motto: "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken"
Sigil: Red sun pierced by a golden spear on an orange field
Major members:
* The Sand Snakes: Obara, Tyene, and Nymeria Sand, bastard daughters of Oberyn Martell and Ellaria Sand
* Oberyn Martell, brother of King Doran. Killed by the Mountain — Deceased
* Doran Martell, former Prince of Dorne and head of House Martell. Killed by Ellaria Sand — Deceased
* Trystane Martell, son of Prince Doran and heir to Dorne. Killed by the Sand Snakes — Deceased
Why They Matter:
Technically Dorne has gone the way of the Baratheons, with the murder of both Prince Doran and his heir, Trystane, in season six. However, Ellaria Sand and the Sand Snakes have basically said "IDGAF" to the idea of provoking war with Westeros (hence the whole killing Myrcella thing) and vowed to be stronger than Dorne's previous rulers, so . . . who knows what they could be plotting.

House Reed (Stark vassal house)
Location: The North
Sigil: A black lizard-lion on a gray/green field
Major members:
* Howland Reed, Lord of Greywater Watch. Saved Ned's life at the Tower of Joy
* Meera Reed, daughter of Howland and sister to Jojen
* Jojen Reed, brother of Meera. Mercy killed by his sister after being injured by wights in season four — Deceased
Why They Matter:
Howland Reed played a big part in helping Ned Stark live through Robert's Rebellion, as we saw through Bran's visions of the past, and was a good friend of Ned's. Jojen and Meera Reed, however, have had a bigger part in the show by helping Bran Stark reach the Three-Eyed Raven in season four. And however hopeless it gets, Meera's still doing her best to keep Bran alive . . . which could prove to be more important than she realizes.

House Tully
Location: The Riverlands
Motto: "Family, Duty, Honor"
Sigil: Silver fish on a red and blue background
Major members:
* Lord Edmure Tully, brother of Catelyn Stark and Lysa Arryn. Taken prisoner by the Freys after the Red Wedding
* Ser Brynden "The Blackfish" Tully, uncle to Catelyn, Lysa, and Edmure and head of House Tully
Why They Matter:
The Tullys kind of faded out of the action in Game of Thrones after the Red Wedding in season three. However, Brynden Tully has now taken back Riverrun from the Freys and shows no sign of giving it up — even to Jaime Lannister. No wonder Sansa sent Brienne to get Brynden's support for the fight against the Boltons. The Tullys, led by the Blackfish, could be a powerful ally for the Starks in the wars to come, as long as they make it through the siege.

House Arryn
Location: The Vale
Motto: "As High as Honor"
Sigil: A white crescent moon and a falcon on a blue background
Major members:
* Robin Arryn, future Lord of the Eyrie and head of House Arryn
* Lysa Arryn, wife of Jon Arryn and mother to Robin — Deceased
* Jon Arryn, former head of House Arryn and former Hand of King Robert Baratheon — Deceased
Why They Matter:
House Arryn is another house rarely in the forefront of the action in Game of Thrones — one reason being that they're situated far away on the east coast of Westeros, and the seat is the Eyrie, high up on a mountain peak out of reach of basically any attacks. Another reason is that the house's current heir, Robin Arryn, is basically still a kid.
However, Robin Arryn's uncle and protector until he comes of age is Petyr Baelish, the slipperiest, sneakiest guy around — who has a special place in his heart for Sansa Stark. Littlefinger has already offered the Knights of the Vale to Sansa's cause, and with things looking pretty dire for her cause . . . she might look past her hatred of him and ask for his help (and the Vale's) if she wants to win.

East Egg here... If ya catch it first I will +1 all your current posts.
House Frey (former Tully vassal house)

Image Source: HBO
Location: The Riverlands
Sigil: Two stone gray towers and bridge on a dark gray background with blue water
Major members:
* Lord Walder Frey, current head of House Frey
Why They Matter:
The Red Wedding, brought to you by the Lannisters via Walder Frey, feat. Roose Bolton. Both the Freys and Boltons were promised rewards by the Lannisters if they helped carry out the murder of Robb Stark, which would essentially secure a Lannister victory. And none of us will ever get over it.
Since the Red Wedding the Freys have been the dominant house in the Riverlands, especially with Edmure Tully as their prisoner. However, with the return of Brynden Tully and his retaking of Riverrun . . . Walder Frey's days as the big bad could be numbered.

House Baelish (former Arryn vassal house, now Lords of Harrenhal)
Location: The Vale
Sigil: Black mockingbird on a yellow background
Major members:
* Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish, uncle/Lord Protector to Robin Arryn and the Lord of Harrenhal
Why They Matter:
House Baelish is made up of only Littlefinger himself — but being who he is, he's managed to do pretty well for his house. He married the mother of the heir to the Eyrie, promptly got her out of the picture, and now essentially has the ear of Robin Arryn all the time. He's also the Lord of Harrenhal, which was given to him by Tyrion back in season two. What does all that mean? That a guy we don't trust farther than we could throw him has a whole lot of power. That should go well.