The Only Gallagher’s Tree Explainer You’ll Need Before Rewatching ‘Shameless’

Throughout its 11 seasons, Shameless didn't shy away from getting its hands dirty. The showrunners put the Gallaghers through hell and high water, throwing them into all kinds of shady shenanigans. Thanks to a killer script and a cast led by William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum, the show was bound to make some good TV.

And when there's good TV, there are bound to be some iconic characters. Here's a full guide to the Gallagher family tree.

Frank Gallagher

Frank is the man, the myth and the walking disaster. He's a father who is somehow always present yet completely absent at the same time.

Personality traits: selfish, lazy, charming.

Frank has seven children and raised none of them. He devoted his genius and charisma to scheming and self-destructive drinking. Despite his many imperfections, Frank occasionally shows us the man he could have been: funny, smart and even loving.

Monica Gallagher

Monica is Frank's lover and the biological mother of the Gallaghers.

Personality traits: unstable, free-spirited, unreliable.

At best, Monica's involvement with the Gallaghers is unpredictable. At worst, it is devastating (I still can't get over that kitchen scene in “Just Like the Pilgrims Intended”). Despite her love for her children, her inability to provide consistent care or stability forced Fiona to take on a maternal role.

Fiona Gallagher

As the eldest Gallagher, Fiona took on a parental role when their mother left and Frank checked out. She sacrificed her dreams to keep the family afloat.

Personality traits: strong, responsible, self-sabotaging.

Although Fiona tries to make better choices than her parents did, she often finds herself falling into destructive patterns, especially in her love life. Emmy Rossum left the show in season nine, giving Fiona a very bittersweet ending.

Lip Gallagher

Personality traits: smart, self-destructive, cynical.

Lip is the genius of the family. His talent opened doors that were never available to the rest of his family. Unfortunately, his destructive tendencies closed these doors pretty quickly and quite brutally.

Tami Tamietti

Personality traits: straightforward, independent, adaptable.

Tami is an outsider who didn't sign up for the full Gallagher experience yet she got it anyway. Though she's not officially a Gallagher by name, she's definitely part of the chaos now.

Freddie Gallagher

The newest addition to the Gallaghers, Freddie is Lip and Tami's son. For Lip, he's a chance to break the cycle and be the father that Frank never was. No pressure, though.

Ian Gallagher

Personality traits: loyal, ambitious, kind.

Ian takes after Monica more than Frank. Like his mother, he struggles with bipolar disorder, though he handles it more responsibly. He and Mickey are one of the show's longest-running couples.

Mickey Milkovich

Personality traits: tough, protective, loving.

Though he is not a Gallagher by blood, Mickey becomes family through his relationship with Ian. Starting as just a neighbor, Mickey evolved into one of the show's most well-developed characters. He went from being closeted and angry to being openly in love with Ian.

Carl Gallagher

Personality traits: adaptable, reckless, surprisingly moral.

Carl begins as the potential psychopath of the family, but evolves considerably. Perhaps the most surprising character arc is Carl's transformation from selling drugs to pursuing a career in the police force.

Debbie Gallagher

Personality traits: responsible, manipulative, selfish.

Debbie starts out as a sweet child, but eventually grows into one of its most complicated members. Her desperation for love causes her to make questionable choices, such as becoming a teenage mother. Despite her flaws, she is fiercely protective of her daughter and family.

Frances Gallagher

Franny is Debbie's daughter. She became a beloved member of the household, being raised by the entire family in true Gallagher fashion.

Clayton Gallagher

Personality traits: distant, avoidant, privileged.

Clayton is Frank's brother and may be Ian's biological father. Unlike Frank, Clayton built a stable middle-class life away from the South Side.

Jerry Gallagher

Jerry is Frank's twin brother. Despite having identical genetic material and being raised under one abusive roof, Jerry and Frank could not be more different in their life choices.

Wyatt Gallagher

Wyatt is another one of Frank's brothers. He is mentioned but never shown on screen. He is likely the youngest of the family.

Peggy Gallagher

Personality traits: abusive, manipulative.

Peggy is Frank's mother. Her toxic and abusive parenting style greatly impacted Frank's development, contributing to his own dysfunctional approach to parenting.

Ginger Gallagher

Dead for years, yet still contributing to the family finances, Ginger proves that the Gallaghers look out for each other, even from beyond the grave. As Frank's aunt, Ginger primarily exists in the series as a scam. He fraudulently claimed her social security checks long after her death.

Patrick Gallagher

Personality traits: manipulative, entitled.

Patrick is Frank's cousin who attempts to take ownership of the Gallagher house by claiming it was left to him.

Samantha Slott

Personality traits: manipulative, impulsive.

Frank's alcoholism catches up with him and his search for a new liver leads him to his daughter, Sammi. Although she is initially welcoming to her newfound family, Sammi's relationship with the Gallaghers quickly deteriorates as she experiences their particular kind of chaos firsthand.

Chuckie Slott

Personality traits: innocent, kind.

Chuckie is Sammi's son and technically Frank's grandson. He is sweet but not particularly bright and often becomes a pawn in the conflicts between the Gallaghers and his mother. He is the only character in the Shameless universe with whom I can truly sympathize.