Grey's Anatomy: Meredith Grey's Family Tree Explained (2024)

Grey's Anatomy showcases the family members of the main characters, but how many sisters does Meredith Grey have? During her time on the show, Grey's Anatomy chronicled the life and medical career of Meredith Grey, who started her residency at Seattle Grace Hospital. Until recently leaving the show, each season saw Meredith take on several complicated cases, placing a significant emphasis on the relationships she builds in the hospital, which inspired her to achieve the success she did.

However, Meredith isn't the only "Grey" to have featured in the show. While Meredith is usually at the center of most Grey's Anatomy storylines, the writers also gave her family detailed character arcs. Although the majority of Meredith's family members on Grey's Anatomy weren't likable, such as Thatcher and Ellis, their presence was needed as they drove much of the conflict and drama. Without Meredith's family, including her sisters, the show wouldn't have been the same.

Ellis Grey Is Meredith's Mother

Played By Kate Burton

One of the most important people in Meredith's life was her mother, Ellis Grey (Kate Burton). Introduced in season 1's "A Hard Day's Night," Ellis was an award-winning surgeon, who changed the field of medicine with her groundbreaking techniques in general surgery. She was deeply admired by her successors, with many of the main characters aspiring to be as talented as her. However, she was also flawed, as Meredith resented her mother for neglecting her when she was a child.

Sadly, Meredith and Ellis never resolved their issues together as Ellis was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and later passed away in "Some Kind of Miracle" (season 3, episode 17). The complex relationship between Meredith and Ellis was an intriguing storyline as it helped drive the conflict in the first couple of seasons. However, this wasn't the only reason why Ellis was important. The main reason Meredith became a surgeon was because she wanted to help her mother and find a cure for Alzheimer's disease.

While she did want to be as successful as her, Meredith's main goal has always been to save lives. She may have hated Ellis for never being there for her when she was younger, but she did eventually see why her mother loved to be in the surgical field.

Thatcher Grey Was Meredith's Dad

Played By Jeff Perry

Similar to her relationship with her mother, Meredith also had a difficult relationship with her father, Thatcher Grey (Jeff Perry). Introduced in season 2, episode 18's "Yesterday," Thatcher didn't receive the warmest welcome from Meredith as she struggled to forgive her father for abandoning her when she was a child. While the two tried numerous times to fix their relationship, unfortunately, the pair struggled to mend their bond as they faced numerous setbacks - including him blaming her for his wife, Susan's, death.

Thatcher later lost touch with her after her sister, Lexie, died. Given the stories Lexie and Molly told Meredith about how Thatcher was a good father to them, it was heartbreaking to see how much these details hurt Meredith. Although he may not have realized it, Thatcher abandoning Meredith ended up affecting every relationship she had as she constantly worried that they would leave her too.

It was also disappointing that Thatcher died not long after he and Meredith met up for one final time (season 15, episode 11 "The Winner Takes It All") since it would have been interesting to see how their relationship would have developed after they solved their issues.

Alexandra 'Lexie' Grey Is Meredith's Half-Sister

Played By Chyler Leigh

Alexandra "Lexie" Grey (played by Chyler Leigh) is one of the more memorable characters in Meredith's family tree as she was the first person to have a positive influence on the general surgeon's life. After making her debut in season 3, episode 24, "Testing 1-2-3", viewers quickly discovered that Lexie was Meredith's half-sister (via Thatcher) and would be beginning her residency at Seattle Grace.

Although Meredith was adamant that she didn't want a relationship with Lexie, she eventually let her in as Lexie refused to give up and showed Meredith that she could always rely on her if she was in trouble or had any problems. Her relationship with Meredith was one of the many things Grey's Anatomy fans loved about Lexie as their bond helped them to become better people. While Meredith helped Lexie become a confident and talented surgeon, Lexie helped Meredith with her abandonment issues.

When Lexie began a romance with Mark, Meredith also grew protective of her as she didn't want to see her get harmed. Their relationship may have come to an abrupt end after Lexie died in a plane crash (season 8, episode 24 "Flight"), but Meredith never fails to mention just how grateful she was to have her in her life.

Molly Grey-Thompson Is Meredith's Youngest Sister

Played By Mandy Siegfried

The daughter of Thatcher and Susan Grey, Molly Grey-Thompson is Meredith's youngest sibling. Played by Mandy Siegfried, Molly first made her debut in season 2, episode 22's "The Name of the Game," as a patient at Seattle Grace Hospital; she was admitted after she discovered there was a complication with her pregnancy - which resulted in her making numerous visits to the hospital. Although she and Meredith never kept in contact after Susan's funeral, Molly was never hostile towards Meredith.

Unfortunately, this was the last time viewers saw her as she eventually moved out of the country with her husband and children. Molly may not have had the biggest role in Grey's Anatomy, but she did have a small impact on Meredith's story as her episodes gave Meredith a glimpse of what her life could have been like if she had been raised by Thatcher. In a way, she also foreshadowed Lexie's arrival at the end of season 3 as she constantly spoke about her older sibling who was also training to be a doctor.

Maggie Pierce Is Meredith's Half-Sister

Played By Kelly McCreary

Debuting in season 10, Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary) is considered to be one of Grey's Anatomy's most talented cardiothoracic surgeons. Although it initially looked like she was going to replace Cristina after she left for Switzerland, Maggie was revealed to be a member of Meredith's family tree when she confessed that she was Ellis Grey's daughter. She had been placed into adoption after Ellis gave birth to her in Boston and was in Seattle because she wanted to learn more about her family.

Although Meredith struggled to bond with Maggie after she learned the truth, the two eventually formed a strong relationship, with Maggie becoming Meredith's confidant. The pair were also responsible for some of Grey's Anatomy's funniest moments, as their bickering and random conversations brought plenty of laughs. Meredith may have denied it, but Maggie's arrival prevented the general surgeon from completely withdrawing into herself. They may not always get along, but Maggie is her biggest supporter.

Zola Grey Shepherd Is Meredith's Adoptive Daughter

Played By Aniela Gumbs

Zola Grey Shepherd (Aniela Gumbs) is the adoptive daughter of Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd. She made her debut in season 7, after being admitted to Seattle Grace Mercy West because she needed emergency surgery. While she was initially one of the babies who had been part of Alex Karev's (Justin Chambers) Africa project, Zola ended up being an important member of Meredith's family tree, as Meredith and Derek instantly bonded with Zola and eventually decided to adopt her.

While Zola shows how Meredith and Derek adjusted to parenthood, season 18 sees her role grow as she expresses an interest in the medical field. Not only does she enjoy watching Ellis' surgical videos or her mother's work, but she also loves solving surgical training exercises. Zola plays an important role in Meredith's journey as their close bond helps Meredith overcome her fears that she would make a terrible mother. Considering Meredith felt abandoned, it is heartwarming to see how much Zola idolizes her.

Derek Bailey Grey Shepherd Is Meredith's Son

Played By Brody & Ryder Goodstadt

Another important member of Meredith’s family tree is Derek Bailey Shepherd (Brody & Ryder Goodstadt); he is Meredith and Derek’s son, who first made his debut in season 9. Like his siblings, Bailey embodies the best of Meredith and Derek, as his mother notes how he is one of the funniest and most wholesome people she has ever met. She is also aware that he has a bit of a rebellious streak. As Amelia notes, they have to keep lighters away from him because he likes to set fire to things.

While Bailey hasn't had storylines in Grey's Anatomy, his presence helped Meredith find a perfect balance between her personal and professional life, showing everyone that it was possible to be a good mother and a successful surgeon.

Ellis Grey Shepherd Is Meredith's Daughter

Played By Ella & Gracie Faris

Ellis Grey (Ella & Gracie Faris) is the youngest daughter of Meredith and Derek. She made her surprising debut in season 11, episode 22, “She’s Leaving Home,” after viewers learned Meredith briefly left Seattle to come to terms with Derek’s death and learned the news she was pregnant. Like her siblings, most of Ellis’ main scenes took place in Meredith’s house, as she was often seen spending time with her aunts and mother or playing with her siblings.

Although young Ellis doesn't get much screen time, her birth plays a significant part in season 11. The “secret pregnancy” subplot helps Meredith make peace with her mother as she begins to relate to some of her experiences and understand why her mom made them go to Boston after she split from Richard. Grey's Anatomy also uses Ellis to show how much Meredith has overcome her fears about parenthood and how she is constantly learning to make sure her children never feel neglected or unloved.

Grey's Anatomy

Romance

Drama

Grey's Anatomy is considered one of the great television shows of our time, winning several awards and four Emmys. The high-intensity medical drama follows Meredith Grey and the team of doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial, who are faced with life-or-death decisions on a daily basis. They seek comfort from one another, and, at times, more than just friendship. Together they discover that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white.

Release Date

March 27, 2005

Cast

Kelly McCreary , Patrick Dempsey , Kevin McKidd , Chandra Wilson , Jesse Williams , Jake Borelli , camilla luddington , Ellen Pompeo , Chyler Leigh , Eric Dane , Caterina Scorsone , Giacomo Gianniotti , Anthony Hill , Kate Walsh , Justin Chambers , Sarah Drew , Greg Germann , Martin Henderson , Katherine Heigl , T.R. Knight , Sara Ramirez , Jerrika Hinton , Richard Flood , Sandra Oh , Kim Raver , Jason George , Tessa Ferrer , Isaiah Washington , James Pickens Jr. , Gaius Charles , Chris Carmack , Brooke Smith , Jessica Capshaw

Seasons

20