Kit Harington was born Christopher Catesby Harington on a specific day in Acton, London, to Deborah Jane (Catesby),a former playwright with a creative flair, and David Richard Harington, a successful businessman with a keen sense of entrepreneurial spirit. His mother had a special affinity for 16th-century British playwright and poet Christopher Marlowe, whose first name was shortened to Kit, a name Harington has grown to prefer over the years.
Kit's uncle is the esteemed Sir Nicholas John Harington, the 14th Baronet Harington, and his paternal great-grandfather was the respected Sir Richard Harington, the 12th Baronet Harington. Through his paternal grandmother, Lavender Cecilia Denny, Kit's eight times great-grandfather was the illustrious King Charles II of England. Additionally, Kit's father's lineage reveals a connection to prominent figures such as politician Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, the renowned bacon merchant T. A. Denny, clergyman Baptist Wriothesley Noel, merchant and politician Peter Baillie, peer William Legge, 4th Earl of Dartmouth, and MP Sir William Molesworth, 6th Baronet.
Kit's educational journey began at the Southfield Primary School from 1992 to 1998, where he developed a strong foundation in his early years. At the age of 11, his family relocated to Worcestershire, and he continued his studies at the Chantry High School in Martley until 2003. It was during his time at Chantry High that Kit discovered his passion for acting, inspired by a production of Waiting for Godot when he was just 14 years old. He went on to perform in several school productions, showcasing his talent and dedication to the craft.
Kit's academic pursuits led him to Worcester Sixth Form College, where he studied Drama and Theatre Studies between 2003 and 2005. His interest in acting was further fueled by a performance by Ben Whishaw playing Hamlet in 2004, which inspired him to pursue a career in the drama school. At the age of 18, Kit moved back to London and attended the Central School of Speech and Drama, graduating in 2008.
