The War of the Five Kings and the Last War changed the demography of Westeros. Some of the most prominent Houses which prided themselves on powerful mottos went extinct. Some became stronger than ever before, and new Houses rose to prominence. HBO's Game of Thrones centers around the conflict between nine noble families each of which have vassal houses in their liege. At the start of Game of Thrones, House Baratheon is headed by King Robert who toppled the last Targaryen king, Aerys II's rule, and ushered in a new era in the history of Westeros. House Baratheon is the power behind the throne until King Robert is murdered at his wife, Cersei Lannister's behest. Her house - the Lannisters place not one but two puppet kings on the Iron Throne. They are Cersei's sons, Joffrey and Tommen from her brother, Jaime Lannister.
House Stark guards the North at the beginning of Game of Thrones. The head, Lord Eddard Stark is married to Catelyn of House Tully. Her father, Lord Hoster was the Lord of Riverrun and the Lord Paramount of the Trident. House Martell rules Dorne and resents House Lannister for the treatment meted out to their daughter, Elia Martell during the Sack of King's Landing. She was married to Aerys II's heir, Rhaegar, and she and her children were brutally killed at Tywin's behest. House Tyrell rules the Reach, House Arryn rules the Vale, and House Greyjoy rules over the Iron Islands. The Targaryens were gone, except for Aerys' children, Viserys and Daenerys (and later, Rhaegar's Aegon/ Jon Snow). Viserys and Daenerys spend their lives in exile, and in Game of Thrones season 7, the latter arrives in Westeros to take the Iron Throne. Each house shows conspicuous bravery through its words, as seen below.
House Targaryen: Fire And Blood
The Targaryens united the warring kingdoms of Westeros into one realm. Their words - "Fire and Blood" encapsulate their ruthlessness, naked ambition, and the victories that they won over their enemies. The erstwhile ruling dynasty of Westeros was able to maintain a grip over the Seven Kingdoms because of their dragons. Aegon used Balerion to burn the massive fortress - Harrenhal and he and his sister-wives used all three dragons to burn the joint Lannister and Gardener forces in a pivotal battle known as Field of Fire. The words "Fire and Blood" simply mean that the Targaryens aren't afraid to burn or spill the blood of their enemies to achieve their ends. House Targaryen is the focal point of HBO's House of the Dragon, and nearly every Targaryen on the show epitomizes "Fire and Blood."
House Martell: Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken
Aegon, Visenya, and Rhaenys conquered six of the Seven independent kingdoms, Dorne retained its independence, thanks to the difficulties the Targaryens faced in invading it. The hazardous mountainous terrain, desert conditions, massive strongholds, and the Dornish guerrilla warfare tactics rendered the Targaryens and their dragons incapable. House Martell is the ruling House of Dorne in HBO's Game of Thrones. The Martell words "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" reflect their indomitable spirit and unconquerable will. After several failed invasions, Dorne formally entered the realm through the marriage of Maron Martell and Princess Daenerys Targaryen which took place in 187 AC at King's Landing.
House Lannister: Hear Me Roar!
Although members of this rich House often say the words, "A Lannister always pays his debts," their official motto remains, "Hear Me Roar!" It is in harmony with their sigil, a golden lion on a field of crimson, and it encapsulates the Lannisters' fearfulness, pride, and military and financial power. House Lannister is a strong house at the start of HBO's Game of Thrones, and every member in the house is crafty. Though they have an upper hand in the War of the Five Kings, things take a U-turn after the murder of King Joffrey. Tyrion kills his father, Tywin with a crossbow, escapes, and declares for Daenerys. Kevan Lannister and his son, Lancel are killed in the destruction of the Great Sept of Baelor, whereas Cersei and Jaime die in the Battle of King's Landing.
House Arryn: As High As Honor
The head of House Arryn, Jon served as the first Hand of Robert I Baratheon. He was a widely respected figure in Westeros, and he fostered both Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon in the Vale. Ned grew up to be just as honorable as his second father, Jon. The Arryns value honor, and chivalry, and their words, "As High as Honor" encapsulate their views on the said virtue. They rule over the Vale from their impregnable castle, the Eyrie which is located thousands of feet above the valley below. "As High as Honor" also reflects the virtuous Arryns' strength, i.e., their Knights (soldiers) as well as their lofty seat.
House Baratheon: Ours Is The Fury
Aegon the Conqueror's closest friend, a general in his army, and rumored bastard brother, Orys Baratheon founded House Baratheon after killing the last Storm King - Argilac the Arrogant who ruled over the Stormlands. Orys married Argilac's only heir, Argella Durrandon, and established House Baratheon. The words, "Ours is the Fury" are a boast, and the Baratheon strive to show their ferocity through their motto. Members such as King Robert, and Stannis were able commanders. It is with these warring skills that Robert of House Baratheon was able to depose the nearly 300-year-old Targaryen dynasty and place himself on the Iron Throne.
House Tyrell: Growing Strong
House Tyrell of Highgarden played a decisive role in helping the crown (the Lannisters) win the Battle of the Blackwater. It rose to prominence when the former rulers of the Reach, the Gardeners were decimated by Aegon on the Field of Fire. The Tyrells ruled over the Reach from their seat Highgarden, but their house went extinct after Cersei blew up the heir, Ser Loras, and Lady Olenna's son, Mace, and granddaughter, Margaery in the Sept of Baelor. Jaime sacked Highgarden and gave the matriarch, Olenna death by poison. Though their motto, "Growing Strong" wasn't as ferocious as that of other Westerosi houses, it signified their scrappy spirit. The Tyrells were stewards to the Gardeners, and they rapidly gained status and wealth during the Conquest. They grew stronger over time and eventually, Olenna aided her granddaughter, Margaery in becoming the Queen.
House Tully: Family, Duty, Honor
Catelyn Stark was a Tully by birth, and she epitomized her House Words, "Family, Duty, Honor" throughout her time on Game of Thrones. She was loyal to her family, she performed her duty to Ned and the North, and she upheld her family's honor. Catelyn's actions were guided by virtues, and while begging Lord Walder Frey to spare her firstborn son, Robb Stark, she swore on her honor as a Tully that she wouldn't avenge the Red Wedding.
House Greyjoy: We Do Not Sow
House Greyjoy of the Iron Islands prided itself on the words, "We Do Not Sow." This simply meant the lifestyles of Ironborn are akin to those of pirates, and thieves, in that, they steal from others. They do not work as hard as the lowborn people in the Seven Kingdoms. They do not plow or toil but acquire things by snatching them from their enemies. When Yara and Theon Greyjoy brokered an alliance with Daenerys, the latter made them promise that they would say goodbye to the dishonorable practices of "reaving," "roving," and "raiding." Yara agreed, and the two women shook on it.
House Stark: Winter Is Coming
House Stark is arguably the most beloved house in HBO's Game of Thrones. The ominous words, "Winter Is Coming" are meant to keep them in check as they are responsible for the wellbeing of the Northerners. They exemplify their way of life with another saying, "When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives." The Starks believe that they must band together during winter, stay united, and look after one another. Their motto is neither a boast nor a battle cry but is meant to prepare them for the challenges of living in the North.