The Dutton Family Tree Explained: Tracing the Legacy from ‘1883’ to ‘Yellowstone’

Even though Yellowstone may have ended with Season 5, the Dutton family’s story is still going strong.

The second season of 1923 just finished, and more shows like 1944 are on the way. With all these Duttons across generations, things can get confusing. So here’s a simple breakdown of who’s who in the Dutton family, from the early days in 1883 to modern-day Yellowstone.

1883 – The Beginning

James Dutton
James was the first Dutton to head west. He fought in the Civil War and wanted a new start. He left Tennessee with his wife Margaret, their kids Elsa and John, and other family members. After Elsa died, they decided to stay in Montana.

Margaret Dutton
James’s strong and brave wife. She helped lead the family during the hard journey. After Elsa’s death, she and James made Montana their home.

Elsa Dutton
Elsa was their oldest child. She loved horses and adventure. She fell in love twice on the journey but sadly died from an arrow wound. Her death is why the family settled in Montana.

Sam
Sam was a Comanche warrior who loved Elsa. They promised to be together, but Elsa died before they could reunite.

Claire (James’s sister)
Claire and her daughter Mary Abel joined the journey after Claire’s husband died. Mary Abel was killed, and Claire died by suicide soon after.

Mary Abel
Claire’s daughter. She was shot and killed early in their journey.

1923 – The Next Generation

John Dutton Sr.
He was James and Margaret’s son. He grew up on the Montana ranch. He worked with his uncle Jacob and had a wife, Emma, and a son, Jack. John Sr. was killed in an ambush.

Emma Dutton
John Sr.’s wife and Jack’s mother. After John died, she took her own life.

Jack Dutton
Jack worked the ranch with his family. He married Elizabeth. In Season 2 of 1923, Jack was killed, but Elizabeth was pregnant, so Jack might be the grandfather of Yellowstone’s John Dutton.

Elizabeth Dutton
Jack’s wife. She may be the mother or grandmother of the future John Dutton, but it’s still a mystery.

Spencer Dutton
James and Margaret’s second son, born after they settled in Montana. He fought in WWI and then became a hunter in Africa. He met and married Alexandra. She became pregnant and followed him to America.

Alexandra Dutton
A British woman who married Spencer. She got pregnant and traveled to Montana to be with him.

Jacob Dutton
James’s brother. After James died, Jacob took care of the ranch. He helped raise his nephews.

Cara Dutton
Jacob’s wife. She was a strong leader and helped run the ranch during hard times.

Yellowstone – Modern Day

John Dutton II
Not much is known about him. He’s the father of Yellowstone’s John Dutton (John III) and grandson of James and Margaret.

John Dutton III
Played by Kevin Costner. He ran the Yellowstone Ranch and later became governor of Montana. He had four children: Lee, Jamie, Beth, and Kayce. He was killed in Season 5 after a plot by Jamie and Sarah Atwood.

Evelyn Dutton
John III’s wife. She died in a horse accident. Her death deeply affected her kids, especially Beth.

Lee Dutton
John’s oldest son and original heir. He died in a fight over stolen cattle.

Jamie Dutton
Adopted son of John and Evelyn. A lawyer with a troubled past. He has a son named James with a woman named Christina. Jamie had a tense relationship with the family and helped plan John’s murder.

Christina
Jamie’s ex and mother of his son. She wanted Jamie to break away from the Duttons.

James Dutton (Jamie’s son)
Jamie named his son after himself. He’s still very young in the show.

Beth Dutton
John’s only daughter. Smart and fierce in business. She loves her father and her husband, Rip, but hates Jamie for what he did to her as a teen. After John’s death, she wants revenge.

Rip Wheeler
John’s right-hand man and Beth’s husband. He’s loyal and tough. He grew up on the ranch after running away from his past.

Kayce Dutton
Youngest son of John. A former Navy SEAL. He has a family with Monica and struggles to balance family and the ranch.

Monica Dutton
Kayce’s wife. She comes from a Native American background and is often unsure about the Duttons. She lost her second son in a car crash.

Tate Dutton
Kayce and Monica’s son. He loves the ranch and horses. He was very close to his grandfather, John.

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