A Complete Breakdown Of The 'Downton Abbey' Family Tree Before The Grand Finale

Violet Crawley — Family Matriarch

Violet Crawley, played brilliantly by the late Dame Maggie Smith, is the matriarch of the Crawley family and plays a significant role in determining the future heir to the family's estate. Following the tragic death of her son and intended heir, Violet must decide on a new leader for the family. Which leads us to…

Robert Crawley — Family Patriarch

Violet’s living son, Robert Crawley, is the patriarch of the family and Earl of Grantham. He is a serious and loyal traditionalist who will do just about anything to keep the family afloat. In fact, he’s so dedicated to Downton Abbey that it consumes his entire existence.

“I was born here, and I hope to die here,” Robert announces in the series. “I claim no career but the nurture of this house and the estate. It is my third parent and my fourth child.” Now that’s some serious commitment!

Cora Levinson — Robert Crawley’s Wife

Cora Levinson is Robert Crawley’s American heiress wife, whom he initially married for financial reasons. Yet as the series progresses, Robert has fallen madly in love with Cora, who becomes a central figure on the show. She is also the mother of three daughters and refuses to let anything stand in the way of their safety and well-being. Cora serves as a warm contrast to her husband’s more cold, British demeanor.

Patrick ‘Crawley’ — Alleged Crawley Family Heir

The Crawley family lost two central members in season 1: Patrick and James. James, Robert's first cousin, was initially set to be the family heir, yet he passed away due to tragic circumstances. Meanwhile, Patrick was killed while aboard the Titanic sinking in 1912, yet a man shows up to their manor claiming he’s really Patrick Crawley and has been alive this whole time, trying to find them. This turns out to be a sham, much to the family's dismay.

Matthew Crawley — The Crawley Family Heir

So the true heir of Downton is Matthew, a distant cousin who ends up falling madly in love with Mary. Unfortunately Matthew passes away in a car accident, once again leaving Downton's future up in the air.

Lady Mary — Proud Eldest Daughter

Robert and Cora’s daughter, Mary, plays a major role in the upcoming Downton Abbey movie — and in the whole series. The eldest Crawley daughter is “the future of Downton Abbey” as per the film’s trailer. Go Mary! Is she up for the task?

Mary married Matthew before his untimely accident, then remarried to Henry Talbot. The pair has since divorced.

Lady Edith — The second daughter

Robert and Cora's second daughter, Edith, always felt overshadowed by Mary. After falling in love with her boss Micheal Gregson (who disappeared shortly after), Edith became pregnant with his child. She married Bertie in 1925.

Lady Sybil — The rebel

Sybil was Robert and Cora's youngest daughter. She became politically involved as a young woman, and ended up marrying Tom Branson (who was the family's chauffeur) but passed away from eclampsia after giving birth to their daughter Sybbie.

Tom Branson — Unexpected Family Pillar

Robert was decidedly not thrilled when Sybil and Tom announced their engagement, but Tom really became an irreplaceable member of the Crawley family. He always pursues what's right (and helps mediate arguments between Mary and Edith).

Isobel Grey — A Friendly Face

Matthew's mother Isobel is a bright spot in the Downton Abbey cast, even though she isn't officially a Crawley. She was also quite the match for Violet's wit!

Rosamund Painswick — The Fun Aunt

Every family needs a cool and chic aunt, and Robert's sister Rosamund is the Crawleys'!

George, Sybbie, Marigold, Peter & Caroline — The Future of Downton Abbey

The next generation of the Crawley family (Mary's children George and Caroline, Sybil's daughter Sybbie, and Edith's children Peter and Marigold) have quite the inheritance, which they're expected to inherit when they come of age in the 1940s.