Catesby, John Deborah Jane (Catesby), a former playwright, and Sir David Harington, 15th Baronet, a businessman, gave birth to Harington on January 7, 1984, in Acton, London.
John Catesby Harington is a brother to the popular English actor, Christopher Harington, professionally known as Kit Harington. Kit Harington became very popular after playing Jon Snow in the Game of Throne television series.
Sir Nicholas John Harington, 14th Baronet was Harington’s uncle, and Sir Richard Harington, 12th Baronet was his patrilineal great-grandfather.
The Haringtons are an ancient family whose name was originally written Haverington and derives from their estate, a lordship in Cumberland.
Harington is descended from Scottish politician Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, through his father. He is linked to those who were involved in the Gunpowder Plot on opposing sides.
On his mother’s side, he claims a relationship with the plot’s leader, Robert Catesby, while on his father’s side, he claims a relationship with King James I (grandfather of King Charles II), the target of the assassination attempt, and Lord Harington, who was in the Houses of Parliament when Catesby and his co-conspirators attempted to blow it up.