The Simpsons Family Tree

When “The Simpsons” first aired on December 17, 1989, no one could have anticipated how iconic the show and its characters would become. Even over three decades later, it remains one of the most influential TV shows ever made, which may look like another satire of the American family, but is much more than that.

 

And, in this article, we’ll take a look at the Simpsons family tree: the core characters like Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie as well as a range of supporting characters, from family pets to friendly (most of the time) bartenders.

The Simpsons Main Family Members

Homer Simpson

Homer Jay Simpson, the head of the Simpson family tree, was born on May 12, 1956. Homer embodies the stereotypical American father: lazy, impulsive, and often clueless. But despite these flaws, he shows a surprising level of care for his family – albeit in his own way. 

 

Working at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, Homer’s career has included multiple, bizarre jobs ranging from an astronaut to the Beer Baron during Springfield’s prohibition. Homer’s catchphrases, like his iconic “D’oh!” have become cultural staples – in many ways thanks to Dan Castellaneta, who has voiced Homer since the character’s inception.

 

 

Homer’s antics usually revolve around his endless love for beer, donuts, and all things lazy. Yet, some of his best moments are when he lets his guard down, showing his genuine, but also clumsy love for Marge and his kids.

Marge Simpson

Marge Simpson (née Bouvier) was born on March 19, 1954. Raised in a strict household, Marge has always been the voice of reason in the family tree of the Simpsons. Her iconic blue beehive hairdo, nearly as tall as she is, was inspired by the bride of Frankenstein and ‘60s beehive trends. Voiced by Julie Kavner, Marge is known for her raspy voice and patient demeanor, always balancing out Homer’s antics

 

While she primarily stays at home, Marge has tried various ventures over the years, including starting her own business selling “Pretzel Wagon” pretzels and, for a time, working at the Springfield Police Department. Her most defining trait is her devotion to her family, as she’s always putting them first, even when she’s clearly done with their shenanigans.

Bart Simpson

Bartholomew JoJo “Bart” Simpson, born on April 1, 1980, is the eldest child of the family –  and a perpetual troublemaker. Catchphrases like “Eat my shorts!” and “Ay caramba!” make him the quintessential rebellious 10-year-old, who likes nothing more than pranks and annoying his father. Voiced by Nancy Cartwright, Bart was initially considered the show’s central character before Homer took on that role in later seasons.

 

While Bart’s most mundane activities are mischievous in nature, like his prank calls to Moe’s Tavern. he does have a softer side, particularly when it comes to his relationship with his younger sister, Lisa. And, sometimes, Bart’s character even shows a unique depth, as seen in episodes like “Bart Gets an F,” where he faces the consequences of academic failure and has to show remorse for his actions.

Lisa Simpson

Lisa Marie Simpson, the middle child, was born on May 9, 1982. The intellectual and moral compass of the family, Lisa is both gifted and often misunderstood. She is a straight-A student and a talented saxophonist with progressive ideals that often clash with her family and town’s more conservative views. She is also a vegetarian, a Buddhist, and deeply passionate about the environment, making her the most socially aware member of the family.

Maggie Simpson

The youngest of the family tree of Simpsons, Margaret “Maggie” Simpson, may be a baby and doesn’t even speak, but she already has a big personality. Sure, her characteristic pacifier-sucking sound is all we get from her most of the time, but she also has her moments of decisive and surprising action. One such time would be when she saved Homer from a mob boss with a well-placed gunshot in “Who Shot Mr. Burns?”

How to Create Your Own Simpsons Family Tree

Did you know you could recreate the family tree of the Simpsons? With Treemily, it’s very simple! 

 

All you need is to create a free account, choose your preferred family tree layout, and put in some basic information about the characters. 

 

Don’t be put off by the amount of effort it may take to have all of them listed – it is really quick and simple! And don’t forget to add pictures of each of the family members as well as some facts about them!

 

Once you’re done, you can export it to a stunningly looking PDF or even have it printed on paper of the size of your choosing.

 

Excited to embark on your first genealogical adventure? Feel free to find out more useful guidance in our “how to make a family tree” manual!

The Simpsons Extended Family Members

Homer’s Side

Abraham Simpson (Grampa)

Abraham Jebediah Simpson, known as “Grampa,” was born in the early 1900s and served in World War II. Known for his rambling and often nonsensical stories, Grampa is both endearing and bewildering. His relationship with Homer has always been rocky; Homer often resents his father’s neglectful parenting but still has a soft spot for him.

Mona Simpson (Homer’s Mother)

Mona Simpson, Homer’s estranged mother, is one of the show’s more mysterious characters. An activist in the 1960s, Mona left the family when Homer was a child due to her involvement in radical protests against Mr. Burns’ germ warfare research. Though, she did make a massive short-lived comeback in the episode “Mother Simpson”, which shed light on Homer’s deeper emotional wounds.

Herbert Powell (Homer’s Half-Brother)

 

Herb Powell, voiced by Danny DeVito, is Homer’s half-brother and a successful businessman – at least, until Homer inadvertently ruins his car company, Powell Motors. Introduced in the episode “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?”, Herb’s life spirals out of control after Homer’s interference, though the former eventually forgives his relative.

Abbie (Homer’s Half-Sister)

 

Abbie is a lesser-known character, as she is Homer’s half-sister from an affair Grandpa had during World War II. 

Marge’s Side

Clancy Bouvier (Marge’s Father)

 

Clancy Bouvier, Marge’s father, is mostly seen in flashbacks as a quiet and somewhat distant figure. Not much is known about his background, as he passed away before the events of the series.

Jacqueline Bouvier (Marge’s Mother)

 

Jacqueline Bouvier, Marge’s mother, is portrayed as a stern woman with very strong traditional values. She’s very skeptical of Homer and often voices her disapproval of her daughter’s marriage.

Patty and Selma Bouvier (Marge’s Sisters)

Patty and Selma, Marge’s cynical and chain-smoking twin sisters, are also often at odds with Homer. They work at the DMV and enjoy making Homer’s life difficult, while always being very supportive of Marge – as any sister should be.

Ling Bouvier (Selma’s Adopted Daughter)

 

 

Ling is Selma’s adopted daughter from China, introduced in the episode “Goo Goo Gai Pan.” Selma’s adoption of Ling is an interesting turn for her character, as we see even someone as rough as her can long for companionship and love.

Other Significant Characters

Family Pets

Santa’s Little Helper (Dog)

 

Santa’s Little Helper, the family’s loyal dog, was introduced in the first episode of the series, “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,” which aired on December 17, 1989. Homer initially brought him home as a desperate Christmas surprise after a disastrous attempt at betting on greyhound racing. From that moment, he became a permanent member of the Simpson family.

 

While Santa’s Little Helper is a simple, lovable dog, his character also takes on a bit of depth as the series progresses. He has had relationships with other dogs, fathered puppies (one of which, “She’s the Fastest,” becomes the mascot of Duff Beer), and even underwent police dog training in the episode “Stop or My Dog Will Shoot!”

Snowball II (Cat)

 

Named after their original white cat, Snowball I (who met an untimely end before the series began), Snowball II is a typical laid-back black cat. Snowball II’s story mostly revolves around her multiple reincarnations – after Snowball II’s death in “I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot,” Lisa adopts a series of black cats, each subsequently named Snowball III, Snowball IV and Snowball V.  Snowball V eventually gets “rebranded” as Snowball II by Lisa to “save money on a new food dish.” 

 

Snowball II generally serves as a quieter contrast to the chaotic Simpson household, rarely causing any disturbances.

Recurring Characters

Ned Flanders (Neighbor)

 

Ned Flanders lives next door to the Simpsons with his two sons, Rod and Todd, raising them as devout Christians in a household with strict values and, famously, a lack of anything remotely fun. Still, Flanders is a very kind and forgiving man, as he is even with Homer despite the latter’s relentless bullying of Ned.

Mr. Burns (Boss)

 

Charles Montgomery Burns, known simply as Mr. Burns, is the owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, where Homer works. Born in the early 1900s, Mr. Burns is all about old wealth and the ruthless pursuit of power. His lack of empathy for others have led him to commit countless unethical acts, from stealing valuable artifacts to firing employees on a whim. And despite physical weakness (he’s so decrepit that his body is kept alive only through experimental medical procedures), Mr. Burns still has an almost comical level of influence in Springfield.

Moe Szyslak (Bartender)

 

Gruff and lonely, Moe’s life revolves around his bar, which serves as a hangout spot for Homer and his friends. Moe has a grizzled exterior and often showcases his bad temper, but he also has a hidden sensitive side – for example, he deeply cares for his pet iguana and has even developed a talent for poetry and acting.

 

Moe’s recurring prank calls from Bart are one of the longest-running gags in the series, with Bart calling the bar to ask for made-up names like “Hugh Jass” and “Al Coholic,” leading Moe to yell the name across the bar before realizing he’s been tricked. 

Conclusion

The Simpsons has defined and redefined humor, storytelling, and satire on television – and it wouldn’t be able to do with an amazing cast of characters, both main and supporting. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie each bring a unique angle to the show’s exploration of everyday life, while neighbors like Ned Flanders and friends like Moe further flesh out the crazy world of Springfield. 

 

And even though the show’s quality has dipped over the past years, there is no doubt that the Simpsons family legacy will live on forever.

 

Would you like to preserve your family legacy – and have your family tree passed from generation to generation? Treemily can help you! 

 

You can create amazing family charts in our family tree builder in just a couple of steps! 

 

Create a free account, choose your preferred tree layout, and put in the information about your family. Once you’re done, you can export it to a stunningly looking PDF or have it printed on paper of the size of your choosing. Let’s go!

 

 

FAQs About The Simpsons Family Tree

Who Are the Main Members of the Simpsons Family?

The main family members include Homer Simpson (father), Marge Simpson (mother), Bart Simpson (son), Lisa Simpson (daughter) and Maggie Simpson (baby daughter).

How Are the Simpsons Related to the Bouvier Family?

The Simpsons are tied to the Bouvier family through Marge – she was born Marjorie Jacqueline Bouvier, Marge’s parents, Clancy and Jacqueline Bouvier, and her sisters, Patty and Selma Bouvier, are part of the Simpsons family tree. 

What Was Homer Simpson Named After?

Homer Simpson was named after creator Matt Groening’s own father, Homer Groening.

Who Is Herb Powell and Why Is He Important?

Herb Powell is Homer Simpson’s half-brother, introduced in the episode “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” Herb is a successful businessman and inventor who initially runs a car company, which Homer ruins, seeing Herb becoming homeless. Despite this, the two eventually make up in the episode “Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?” where Herb creates a baby translator and restores his wealth.

 

CREATE YOUR FAMILY TREE