Abstract: Western educational masterpieces contain rich thoughts of physical education. Using the methods of literature, historical analysis and logical reasoning, this paper makes a systematic study on the historical context, connotation and development characteristics of physical education thought in 94 western educational masterpieces which meet the research conditions, and constructed the corresponding thought pedigree. The research shows that in the process of evolution, the essence of physical education thought in western educational classics can be explained from six aspects: health, games, exercise, conservation, teaching and military training, which covers the important significance and value of physical education to the overall development of human beings, including the laws of life and health, the methods of games and physical exercise, the cultivation of health and hygiene habits, the maintenance of abundant energy and full of emotions, the discussion of physical education pedagogy, and so on. It has gradually formed distinct structural features, such as living in health, becoming good, practicing both inside and outside, combining physical education with activity, and advancing in parallel, which integrates the excellent historical tradition of physical education,expand the way of physical education and living space, guide and support physical education activities to better promote the physical and mental development of students. According to the division of different historical stages, the genealogy of physical education ideas in western educational masterpieces can be generated on the basis of the contents of the corresponding works in each historical stage, such as the theory of physical fitness, healthy life, teaching reform, cross-integration and overall development, which reveals a new method and path for the research of western physical education thought.