Jamyang Sonam Wangpo, the twenty-fourth Sakya throneholder, was the son of Ngagchang Chökyi Gyalpo Kunga Rinchen, the twenty-third Sakya throneholder. The twenty-fifth Sakya throneholder, Ngagchang Dragpa Lodro Gyaltsen, was his half-brother. The great master Jamyang Thutob Wangchug (1588 – 1637) was his nephew.

Jamyang Sonam Wangpo has many accomplished students. Among many of them were great master Jamyang Thutob Wangchug and Jamgön Anye Shyap Kunga Sönam (the twenty-seventh Sakya throneholder).