Ollivanders: How an Unlikely Family Shaped the Wizarding World for Centuries

Some wizarding families in the “Harry Potter” universe have centuries-old ancestry, and some are members of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, a collection of families that claim to have pure wizard ancestry. This list provides information about wizarding genealogy, including the Ollivanders, a family that has had a major impact on British magic for millennia, despite being rife with pureblood supremacist rhetoric.

In Britain, wand craft was elevated to an art form by the well-known wandmakers, the Ollivanders. Although there were other wandmakers, none were as skilled or well-known as they were. Their talent connected them to important characters in wizarding history, like as Harry Potter. The most recent heir, Garrick Ollivander, was instrumental in Harry’s quest by imparting important information on the Elder Wand.

Image Courtesy: Harry Potter Wiki – Fandom

The earliest recorded member of the Ollivander family established a wand booth in Britain around 382 BCE, marking the beginning of the family’s history. Given that their name translates to “he who owns the olive wand,” Garrick Ollivander hypothesises that the family may have Mediterranean ancestry, but the specifics are unknown. The family dominated the craft and established stores all over the nation because, according to early records, their wands were significantly superior to the rudimentary ones that were being used in Britain at the time.

By linking particular wand attributes to a wielder’s fate, successive generations of Ollivanders deepened their understanding of wand lore. They ran a store in London throughout the Middle Ages, which subsequently evolved into the famous Diagon Alley site. By creating wands for well-known witches and wizards and even helping with significant magical events like the development of the Keeper’s Wand in Hogwarts Legacy, Gerbold Ollivander contributed to the advancement of wand knowledge by the 19th century.

Image Courtesy: Harry Potter Wiki – Fandom

Garrick Ollivander continued the family tradition by creating wands for Harry Potter and Voldemort. Despite being tortured by Voldemort, Harry’s understanding of wand ownership enabled him to comprehend the Elder Wand’s loyalty, ultimately resulting in Voldemort’s downfall. The Ollivanders’ skill has influenced wizarding history, demonstrating the lasting influence of their trade.

–Farheen Ali