N-Linked glycans are common in eukaryotes, as they are attached to many different proteins. They are classified into three categories termed high mannose, paucimannose, and complex (include hybrid) types. Each phylogenetic group of living organisms has characteristic glycans. In most cases their full significance is unknown, although several functions may be known. For example high mannose-type glycans take part in quality control during the synthesis of proteins. In this review, N-linked glycans are looked at from the viewpoint of their phylogeny and ontogeny.