This Dutton Family Tree Breaks Down Every Character in ‘Yellowstone’

Understanding the ‘Yellowstone’ Dutton Family Tree PARAMOUNT PICTURES / PARAMOUNT PRESS EXPRESS / GETTY IMAGES

If you’re a Yellowstone fan, you might as well also call yourself a historian. There’s so much to keep track of when it comes to the Western series and all of its prequels and spinoffs!

For starters, the Yellowstone universe spans several generations—each one adding new layers of drama, family dynamics, and unforgettable characters. We have our modern-day Yellowstone storyline, led by head cowboy John Dutton III (Kevin Costner). Then came the first Dutton origin story, 1883, which introduced James and Margaret Dutton and showed how the family first claimed their land in Montana. After that came 1923, with Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren portraying Jacob and Cara Dutton as they fought to preserve the ranch through war, drought, and economic hardship.

While the original Yellowstone officially ended with its fifth and final season, the Dutton family’s story is far from over. Season 2 of 1923 just finished, and at least two more spinoffs—1944 and Madison—have been confirmed. There’s also long-standing talk of a 6666 ranch spinoff, and even rumors of a series focused on Beth and Rip.

With so many storylines and family connections stretching across decades, it’s easy to lose track of who’s who in the Dutton family tree. For instance, how exactly is 1923′s Jacob Dutton related to Yellowstone’s John Dutton III? And where does James Dutton from 1883 fit into the picture? Don’t worry—we mapped it all out for you. Read on to see how every Dutton is connected, from the pioneers of 1883 to the present-day heirs of Yellowstone. Some of these connections might surprise you!

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1883 Characters

Emerson Miller

James Dutton

James (Tim McGraw) was the original cowboy on the Dutton Ranch in 1883—the first Yellowstone prequel. His leadership is essentially what started the Dutton story we know today. Traveling west with his wife and children from Tennessee after the Civil War, James ultimately decided that Montana would remain his home after suffering the loss of his daughter, Elsa.

Margaret Dutton

Margaret (Faith Hill), married to James, was the original leading lady of the Dutton family. She served as a nurse in the Civil War in which James fought in. She was the mother to three children (whom we meet in 1883), Elsa, John, and Spencer.

Claire Abel nee Dutton

Claire (Dawn Olivieri) was the sister to James and Jacob whom we met in 1883. Claire’s story just might be the most tragic: She was a widow who also lost six of her children to death. So, when we meet her, she’s traveling west with her brother James, bringing along her remaining daughter, Mary Abel. When Mary was killed after their wagon was ambushed, Claire decides to end her life at her daughter’s grave.

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Henry Abel

Henry, whom we never actually got to meet, was the late husband to Claire in 1883. He was said to have passed on some years before the origin story began (and after six of the children he shared with Claire died), leaving his wife a widow with one child to take care of: Mary Abel.

Mary Abel

Mary Abel (Emma Malouff) was the daughter of Claire Dutton (making her the niece to James, Jacob, Margaret, and Cara). We briefly met her in 1883, where she was killed during the Dutton’s journey out west.

Elsa Dutton

Elsa (Isabel May) was the oldest child of James and Margaret Dutton, and also the voice of 1883‘s narrator. Her story is a sad one, as she ultimately dies in the end of the series. However, we face a lot more complexity before that happens. Throughout her journey, she falls in love twice—her first time being with a cowboy named Ennis. Though they formed a strong connection, it ends when Ennis was killed halfway through the season. Soon after, she met and sparked a relationship with Sam, a Comanche warrior whom avenges her from danger on her journey. The two planned to start a life together once Elsa’s parents find the land they are looking for. This never happens though, as she was killed in combat before she could return.

John Dutton Sr.

John Sr. was the first son of James and Margaret who we meet as an infant in 1883. We meet him again in 1923 as an adult played by James Badge Dale. He works alongside Jacob in 1923 to help preserve the land. He’s married to Emma and they have a son, Jack. It’s also presumed that he’s the grandfather of John Dutton III (aka, Yellowstone’s main character).

1923 Characters

Trae Patton

Jacob Dutton

We’re new to the story of Jacob (Harrison Ford), who is one of the main protagonists of 1923. But we know that Jacob was the brother of James and husband to Cara Dutton. He ends up taking over the Dutton Ranch in the 19th century from his brother when tragedy strikes and he raises James’ two sons as his own. He’s presumably the great-great-grand-uncle of John Dutton III.

Cara Dutton

Cara (Helen Mirren) was a woman of power, and also the wife to Jacob in 1923. Originally from Ireland, she helped run the Dutton Ranch during the Prohibition Era.

Emma Dutton

Emma (Marley Shelton) was the wife of John Dutton Sr. and mother of Jack Dutton in 1923. (Again, she might be the parent of John Dutton Jr., though we still are awaiting to confirm that.)

Spencer Dutton

He doesn’t make an appearance in 1883, but Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) was James’ and Margaret’s third child, who begins his storyline in 1923. He was a World War I veteran, who then went on to work in Africa, and eventually marries Alexandra Dutton.

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Alexandra Dutton

Alexandra comes from England but she’s first introduced to us in 1923 during her trip to Kenya with her family and her then-fiancé, Arthur. However, it didn’t take long for Alexandra to meet Spencer Dutton and fall in love. The two eventually become married.

Jack Dutton

Jack (Darren Mann) is the son of John Sr. and Emma in 1923. He’s a young man who helped his father and great-uncle (Jacob Dutton) on their relatively new land. He was set to marry Elizabeth Dutton.

Elizabeth Dutton

Formally known as Elizabeth Strafford (Michelle Randolph), she becomes the wife of Jack Dutton during season 2 of 1923.

John Dutton II

We find out in the season finale of 1923 season 2 that John Dutton Jr. was the son of Spencer and Alexandra Dutton. He initially appears as an older man in flashback episodes of Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Characters

Emerson Miller

Peter Dutton

According to a quick mention in Yellowstone, Peter Dutton was the son of John Dutton Jr. and Elizabeth Dutton. He was John Dutton III’s brother but he died only hours after he was born.

John Dutton III

John Dutton III (Kevin Costner) is a man that hardly needs any form of introduction. John III leads what is known as the Dutton Ranch today. He is the cowboy in charge of it all, and now current governor of Montana. He’s a wealthy man who doesn’t allow that part of himself to get to his head. The widow was married to Evelyn Dutton (who we only see in flashbacks) and together they had four children—Lee (who dies in the first season of Yellowstone), Beth, Kayce, and Jamie (who we later find out was adopted).

Evelyn Dutton

We never got to really know Evelyn (Gretchen Mol), as she’s the deceased wife of John Dutton III. The mother of his four children (Lee, Beth, Kayce, and Jamie) died just as the kids were young after encountering a horseback riding accident.

Lee Dutton

Lee (Dave Annable) was John’s oldest son, and expected leader of the Yellowstone ranch after his father. But Lee died in the first season of Yellowstone, disrupting the family balance once more.

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Beth Dutton

Beth (Kelly Riley) is the force to be reckoned with on Yellowstone. Daughter of John III and Evelyn, she has a fierce persona that both helps her ward off villains while also getting her into some trouble. We get to see a bit of her tender side through her romance with husband, Rip Wheeler.

Jamie Dutton

Jamie (Wes Bentley) is the adopted son of John III and Evelyn. Things with Jamie are a little complicated, as he doesn’t find out that John isn’t his biological dad until later in his adult life. And when we find out his real story, well, it’s all just a bit tragic. He is truly the odd one out, and that’s clear when you see the resentment and respect in which he both feels for his family.

Kayce Dutton

Kayce (Luke Grimes) is the third son of John III and Evelyn. His character always seems to be surrounded by conflict, heartbreak, and death. He is not the closest with his father, but their relationship isn’t necessarily bad, either. He is the husband to Monica Dutton; together, they share a son named Tate.

Christina

Christina (Katherine Cunningham) was romantically involved with Jamie, while also being one of his employees during his campaign for state attorney general. And though they share a kid together, it doesn’t seem like that was enough to keep them together.

Jamie Dutton Jr.

Jamie and his ex Christina share a son, Jamie Dutton Jr. (May Lansing). We still don’t know much about him, as Christina seems set on keeping him away from the Dutton’s drama. While Jamie initially seemed conflicted about fatherhood, he’s started to show more interest in the role—at least when it benefits him. With his ongoing power struggle against Beth and John, Jamie Jr.’s future remains uncertain, especially because Beth has made it clear she sees him as a weakness that could be used against Jamie.

Rip Wheeler

Rip’s story is a bit tragic-turned-sweet. He stumbles upon the ranch as a teenager, during a time when he needed it the most. John III took him under his wing—which is how Rip met Beth, and slowly grew feelings for her. Not only is he the husband to Beth, but he is John’s number one trusted man.

Carter Dutton

Though not technically a Dutton by blood, Carter (Finn Little) has been all-but adopted by Beth and her husband Rip, who took in the troubled teen following the death of his father and a bout in the foster care system.

Monica Long Dutton

Monica (Kelsey Asbille) is the wife to Kayce, mother to Tate, and teacher on the Broken Rock Reservation where she was raised.

Tate Dutton

Tate (Brecken Merrill) is the son of Kayce and Monica. He has both western and Native American blood in him, which is somewhat of an irony and a metaphor, as he walks on the land that was once stolen from his ancestors.

John Dutton IV

John was the second son of Kayce and Monica and younger brother to Tate. He was named after his grandfather. John died shortly after his birth following complications suffered by Monica during labor, likely due to a car accident that took place while headed to the hospital.

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