Tom is an orphan taken in by the wealthy Mr. Allworthy and raised on his Somersetshire estate. Growing into a handsome and physically strong young man, he earns a reputation as a wild rascal who frequently gets into trouble. Despite his impulsive behavior and lack of social standing, he possesses a good heart and shows immense loyalty to his friends. His status as a child born out of wedlock limits his prospects and heavily influences how society treats him.

Mr. Allworthy is a wealthy country gentleman acting as the local magistrate in Somersetshire. A widower who also lost his children, he lives a quiet life alongside his sister. He strives to apply logical and fair judgments in his community, expecting honesty from his dependents. His generous nature sometimes causes him to miss the deceitful motives of those living under his roof.

Sophia is the 17-year-old daughter of Squire Western. Educated by her aunt in the ways of gentle society, she is beautiful and courteous, displaying strict obedience to her father. She grows up knowing Tom Jones and Mr. Blifil, carefully guarding her emotions and maintaining a modest public demeanor. Her strong sense of filial duty frequently clashes with her personal desires.

Squire Western is a loud country landowner who cares intensely for hunting and drinking. He harbors strong political sentiments against the ruling monarch and despises city fashions. He expects total compliance from his household, treating his daughter with a volatile mix of extreme indulgence and overbearing authority.

Mr. Blifil is the legitimate son of Miss Bridget Allworthy and Captain Blifil. Raised alongside Tom Jones, he earns the praise of his tutors for his sober and pious demeanor. He closely guards his true feelings and uses his legitimate birth to assert superiority over the foundling Tom. He calculates his actions purely to secure his own financial and social advancement.

Miss Bridget is Mr. Allworthy's unmarried sister, acting as the lady of his household. She takes a surprisingly strong interest in raising the abandoned infant found in her brother's bed. She prides herself on her prudence and enjoys debating religious doctrine with male visitors.

Captain Blifil is an army officer who marries Miss Bridget Allworthy. He pretends to share his wife's interests during their courtship but grows cold and indifferent once they are securely married. He spends much of his time anticipating the day he will inherit the Allworthy estate, harboring deep resentment toward the foundling boy.

Mrs. Western is Squire Western's unmarried sister who possesses her own independent fortune. Having lived in town, she considers herself a superior authority on politics and social maneuvering. She frequently argues with her brother over his coarse manners and insists on actively directing Sophia's marriage prospects.

Jenny is a young, unmarried servant girl who previously worked in the Partridge household. Known locally for acquiring a basic understanding of Latin, she draws the resentment of the village women. She accepts responsibility for leaving the infant in Mr. Allworthy's bed and faces banishment from the parish.

Partridge is a local schoolmaster and barber who supplements his small income with an annuity from Mr. Allworthy. He frequently quotes Latin phrases to appear highly educated, though his translations are often clumsy. A superstitious man, his quiet life is completely upended by local gossip connecting him romantically to Jenny Jones.

Thwackum is a strict religious tutor employed by Mr. Allworthy to educate the boys. He believes strongly in harsh discipline and frequent whippings to correct bad behavior. He openly favors the quiet Master Blifil over the rowdy Tom Jones, viewing Tom as inherently sinful and beyond redemption.

Square is a classically educated philosopher who tutors the boys alongside Thwackum. He argues that human virtue stems from the natural beauty of morals rather than strict religious dogma. Despite his lofty philosophical speeches, he constantly attempts to position himself favorably with the wealthy members of the household.

Black George is a rugged estate worker who frequently accompanies Tom Jones on hunting excursions. He struggles to support his family and often bends the rules regarding poaching to make ends meet. He relies heavily on Tom's generosity and protection when his actions draw the ire of the local landowners.

Molly is the confident daughter of the local gamekeeper. Unconcerned with the strict moral expectations placed on gentlewomen, she pursues her romantic interests freely and openly. Her decision to wear fine clothing to church causes an uproar among the village women who view her as acting above her social station.

Mrs. Wilkins is the stern housekeeper of the Allworthy estate. She strictly enforces social hierarchies and holds harsh views on unmarried mothers, advocating for severe legal punishment. She constantly monitors the moods of Mr. Allworthy and Miss Bridget, adjusting her opinions to match theirs perfectly.

Mrs. Honour is Sophia Western's dedicated lady's maid. She considers herself a crucial protector of Sophia's reputation and strictly adheres to the belief that respectable women must never show romantic interest first. She enjoys gathering local gossip and holds strong opinions about the behavior appropriate for a young gentleman.

Lady Bellaston is a wealthy and independent widow living in London who takes in Sophia Western. Operating completely outside the modest expectations placed on young country women, she uses her fortune to control her social circle. She pursues her romantic inclinations aggressively and actively schemes to remove anyone she views as a rival.

Mrs. Miller is a cheerful widow who runs a respectable boarding house in London. Born a gentlewoman, she fell into poverty before receiving financial assistance from Mr. Allworthy. She works diligently to protect the reputations of her two young daughters and expects her lodgers to maintain appropriate moral standards under her roof.

Nightengale is a young gentleman about town who boards at Mrs. Miller's house. He prides himself on his sophisticated manners and actively flirts with the landlady's daughter. While he considers himself a man of honor, he frequently boasts of his romantic conquests without considering the social consequences for the women involved.

Nancy is the 17-year-old daughter of the London landlady Mrs. Miller. She is a quiet and impressionable young woman who falls easily for the sophisticated charm of the lodger Nightengale. Lacking independent wealth, her entire future relies on securing a respectable marriage.

Lord Fellamar is a young nobleman navigating the London social scene. He becomes infatuated with Sophia Western and relies heavily on Lady Bellaston's guidance on how to court her. He is easily manipulated by older members of high society into taking aggressive and dishonorable actions to secure a bride.

Mr. Fitzpatrick is a fiery Irish gentleman pursuing his runaway wife across the country. He possesses a volatile temper and acts aggressively toward anyone he suspects of harboring her. His polished public manners hide a history of extreme financial irresponsibility and cruelty toward his household.

Harriet is Sophia's cousin who previously eloped with an Irish gentleman. She now travels the countryside attempting to escape her husband's abusive behavior and constant financial demands. Having experienced the harsh realities of a terrible marriage, she serves as a warning to Sophia about the dangers of trusting charming men.

Ensign Northerton is a belligerent soldier marching with the King's army. He resents educated men and frequently sparks arguments to assert his dominance over civilians. His violent temper and complete lack of basic decency make him a dangerous presence on the road.