The Dutton Family Tree (Yellowstone)
From 1883 to today
With spin-offs and prequels of the hit series Yellowstone, it’s easy to get lost in the web of characters and their relationships.
So today, we're going to map out the entire Dutton family tree from the beginning, so you can watch the series with a clear understanding of who's related to whom.
Let’s dive deep into the Dutton legacy, starting at the beginning with 1883, all the way to the modern-day drama of Yellowstone.
1. The Beginning of the Dutton Legacy: 1883
1883 takes us back to the very origins of the Dutton family, showcasing the journey of James Dutton (played by Tim McGraw) and his wife, Margaret Dutton (played by Faith Hill). They are the pioneers who established the Dutton legacy in Montana. Here’s how the family starts:
Key Characters:
James Dutton: Great-great-grandfather of John Dutton from Yellowstone.
Margaret Dutton: James’s wife who supports him through their journey west.
Siblings of James Dutton:
Claire Dutton: James’s sister who appears briefly in 1883. She meets a tragic end during their journey.
Jacob Dutton: James’s older brother, played by Harrison Ford in 1923. He becomes a key figure after James’s death.
Children of James and Margaret:
Elsa Dutton: Their firstborn, who tragically dies at the end of 1883.
John Dutton Sr.: The surviving son who plays a pivotal role in 1923.
Spencer Dutton: Their second son who also becomes a main character in 1923.
Tragedy Strikes:
James Dutton’s Death: James dies in 1893, leaving Margaret to manage the ranch alone.
Margaret’s Death: In 1894, Margaret writes to Jacob Dutton for help. Tragically, Jacob arrives too late, finding Margaret frozen to death and her two boys, John and Spencer, half-starved.
2. The Story of 1923: Jacob and Cara Dutton
Following the deaths of James and Margaret, 1923 introduces us to Jacob Dutton and his wife, Cara, played by Helen Mirren. They step in to raise James’s sons, John and Spencer, continuing the Dutton legacy.
Key Characters:
Jacob Dutton: The older brother of James Dutton who takes over the ranch.
Cara Dutton: Jacob’s Scottish wife, who helps him raise John and Spencer.
John and Spencer Dutton:
John Dutton Sr.: He stays close to the ranch, helping Jacob and Cara build the family empire. He is the great-grandfather of Yellowstone's John Dutton.
Spencer Dutton: He chooses a different path, becoming a world-renowned hunter after fighting in World War I. Played by Brandon Sklenar, Spencer’s adventures are a key plotline in 1923.
3. John Dutton Sr. and His Family
John Dutton Sr. (the son of James Dutton) is the critical link between the shows 1883, 1923, and Yellowstone. He has a son named Jack Dutton, who continues the family’s legacy.
Key Characters:
John Dutton Sr.: Son of James and Margaret, who becomes a central figure in 1923.
Emma Dutton: John’s wife in 1923.
Jack Dutton: Their son, who is often called “Jack” despite being named John. He is the great-nephew of Jacob Dutton and the grandfather of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton.
Jack Dutton’s Role:
Jack is set to inherit the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch and pass it on to his future son, John Dutton Sr. (yes, another John!). This future John will eventually become the father of Kevin Costner’s character, John Dutton in Yellowstone.
4. The Modern-Day Duttons: Yellowstone
Yellowstone takes us into the 1980s and beyond, focusing on John Dutton III, played by Kevin Costner. This is where we see the Dutton family tree fully come into play with John’s immediate family and the drama that surrounds them.
Key Characters:
John Dutton III: The current head of the family in Yellowstone.
Evelyn Dutton: John’s late wife and the mother of his children.
John and Evelyn’s Children:
Lee Dutton: The firstborn, who tragically dies in 2018.
Beth Dutton: A fierce and complex character, who plays a major role in running the ranch alongside her husband, Rip Wheeler.
Kayce Dutton: The third child, originally set to inherit the ranch after Lee’s death.
Other Key Characters:
Jamie Dutton: Adopted by John and Evelyn in the 1980s. His biological father, Garrett Randall, brings a darker twist to the family’s story. Jamie has a son of his own, Jamie Dutton Jr., with his partner Christina.
Rip Wheeler: Beth’s husband, who has been a loyal ranch hand and protector of the Dutton family.
Carter: A young boy who becomes somewhat of an adopted son to Beth and Rip, drawing parallels to Rip’s own troubled past.
Kayce’s Family:
Monica Dutton: Kayce’s wife.
Tate Dutton: Their son, who is the seventh generation of Duttons. According to the prophecy in 1883, the seventh generation will be the last to hold the land.
5. The Prophecy and Future of the Dutton Family
The family’s future is murky, especially with the prophecy from 1883 that the seventh generation would lose the land. As of the latest season, Tate Dutton stands at the precipice of this prophecy, which suggests that the family may face challenges that could threaten the Yellowstone Ranch’s future.
Tragic Moments:
The Loss of Kayce and Monica’s Second Child: Monica’s second pregnancy ends in tragedy when their baby boy dies shortly after birth. He was to be named John Dutton, continuing the family’s tradition.
Future Spin-offs:
Creator Taylor Sheridan has hinted at more Dutton family stories set in the 1940s and 1960s, promising to further expand the family tree and explore the generations in between.
Summary of the Dutton Family Tree
To make it easier, here’s a simplified table of the main Dutton lineage across the series:
GenerationNameKey ShowNotable Events1stJames Dutton1883Pioneer of the Dutton family, establishes the ranch2ndJohn Dutton Sr.1923Son of James, raised by Jacob after his parents die3rdJack Dutton1923Continues the legacy, set to inherit the ranch4thJohn Dutton Sr.FlashbacksFather of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton5thJohn Dutton IIIYellowstoneCurrent patriarch, managing family and ranch drama6thKayce, Beth, JamieYellowstoneNext generation, with each dealing with personal struggles7thTate DuttonYellowstonePredicted to be the last Dutton to hold the ranch
As Yellowstone continues, and with new spin-offs in the works, the Dutton saga is far from over.
I'll be here for all of that!