When we think of “Game of Thrones,” one of the first characters that pops into our heads is definitely Jon Snow, the brooding hero of the North, brought to life by Kit Harington. Here’s a fun little fact:

Kit Harington is actually related to a real historical figure named John Harington! How cool is that?

The Historical Jon Harington

Sir John Harington (1560–1612) was an English courtier, writer, and inventor. He’s most famously remembered as the inventor of the first flush toilet in England — earning him the nickname “the Saucy Godson.”

He served under Queen Elizabeth I and was known for his witty, rebellious personality. Although not a warrior like the Jon Snow we know from Westeros, this Jon Harington still made his mark on history in his own quirky way.

From Past to Present

Kit Harington, whose full name is Christopher Catesby Harington, comes from a family with a long noble lineage in England. The historical Jon Harington is one of his distant ancestors — which means Kit is literally carrying on the name “Jon Harington” into modern pop culture.

So, when Kit stepped into the role of Jon Snow, he was unknowingly linking two “Jons” separated by centuries:

• One from history, shaping everyday life with an invention still used today.
• One from fantasy, shaping television history as one of the most beloved characters of our time.

A Perfect Coincidence

Fans often joke that “Jon Snow knows nothing,” but in reality, Kit Harington’s family history knows plenty. The curious overlap between his real ancestry and his fictional role is the kind of coincidence that feels straight out of Game of Thrones itself.

Maybe destiny really did choose the perfect actor to play the King in the North.