Weasley family

Weasley family
Family heritage
Blood status	Pure-blood with some non-pure-blood members
Notable family members	G. Weasley Matilda Weasley Garreth Weasley Garreth Weasley's sister Hector Weasley Matilda Weasley's nephews Septimus Weasley Cedrella Weasley (née Black) Arthur Weasley Arthur Weasley's brothers Molly Weasley (née Prewett) William Weasley Charles Weasley Percy Weasley Fred Weasley † George Weasley Ronald Weasley Ginevra Potter (née Weasley) Fleur Weasley (née Delacour) Audrey Weasley Angelina Weasley (née Johnson) Hermione Granger Harry Potter Victoire Weasley Dominique Weasley Louis Weasley Molly Weasley (II) Lucy Weasley Fred Weasley (II) Roxanne Weasley Rose Granger-Weasley Hugo Granger-Weasley
Status	Extant
Relationships
Related families	House of Black Prewett family Delacour family Johnson family Granger family Potter family Granger-Weasley family Flint family (distant) Yaxley family (distant) Longbottom family (distant) Crouch family (distant) Evans family (distant)
Affiliation
House(s)	Gryffindor
Loyalty	Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Gryffindor Gryffindor Quidditch team Trio Circle of Khanna Dumbledore's Army Beauxbatons Academy of Magic British Ministry of Magic Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects Department of International Magical Co-operation Department of Magical Transportation Auror Office Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare Gringotts Wizarding Bank Romanian Dragon Sanctuary Order of the Phoenix Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Holyhead Harpies Daily Prophet

"My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford."

— Draco Malfoy's negative view of the Weasley family

Weasley was the surname of a pure-blood wizarding family in Great Britain. They were considered one of the prominent wizarding families, although their lack of money and their sympathy for Muggle-born wizards and even Muggles made other wizards and witches view them scornfully. They lived in The Burrow, a ramshackle house of four or five stories "a little way outside" the village of Ottery St Catchpole.

They were included in the Sacred Twenty-Eight list, published in the Pure-Blood Directory by the 1930s. However, they deplored their inclusion in the list, because they said they had ancestral ties to many interesting Muggles. Their protests earned these families the opprobrium of advocates of the pure-blood doctrine, and the epithet 'blood traitor'.

When Harry Potter befriended Arthur and Molly Weasley's youngest son, Ronald Weasley, the Weasleys became a second family to Harry. The Burrow became Harry's home away from home and Arthur and Molly served as de facto godparents in Sirius Black's absence. Harry would eventually marry into the family when he married Ron's younger sister Ginevra Weasley.

History

Early history

"The Death Eaters know Ron's with you now, they're bound to target the family — don't apologise. It was always a matter of time, Dad's been saying so for months. We're the biggest blood traitor family there is."

— The family's status amongst Voldemort's supporters

The Weasleys (unlike many other pure-blood families) willingly associated with Muggles, Muggle-borns, and half-bloods and do not consider themselves superior to others because of their blood status. Thus, elitist pure-blood families such as the Malfoys and the Blacks consider them "blood traitors" and treat them with disdain; Cedrella Black was even disowned by her family for marrying Septimus Weasley. Despite being "one of the biggest blood traitor" families, they seemed rather proud of it.

The Weasleys tended to have large numbers of children; an unusual trait for wizarding families, according to Draco Malfoy. Ron's generation of Weasleys were considered poor by wizarding standards; their vault at Gringotts Wizarding Bank only contained a small pile of Sickles and a single Galleon as of 1992.

For several generations, only boys were born into the family, until the birth of Ginevra Molly Weasley. This trend ended with the grandchildren of Arthur and Molly, who included nearly an equal amount of girls and boys.

Recent history

"There was a very small pile of silver Sickles inside, and just one gold Galleon. Mrs Weasley felt right into the corners before sweeping the whole lot into her bag."

— The Weasley family's lack of wealth

Arthur Weasley was born on 6 February 1950 to Septimus and Cedrella Weasley (née Black). Arthur had at least two brothers. He attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from 1961 to 1968 and was sorted into Gryffindor House. While at school, he met and began dating fellow Gryffindor Molly Prewett.

First Wizarding War

Molly Weasley: "It's all this uncertainty with You-Know-Who coming back, people think they might be dead tomorrow, so they're rushing all sorts of decisions they'd normally take time over. It was the same last time he was powerful, people eloping left, right, and centre —"

Ginny Weasley: "Including you and Dad."

Molly Weasley: "Yes, well, your father and I were made for each other, what was the point in waiting?"

— Molly's and Arthur's rushed marriage

The Burrow

Shortly after graduating from Hogwarts, Arthur and Molly married. Their marriage was rather rushed, as Lord Voldemort was gaining power during that time and the First Wizarding War began. They presumably took up residence at The Burrow, since at least 1970. The Burrow quickly became home to the Weasleys. Despite being poor, none of the family seemed ashamed of their home and it had a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. It was a welcoming place, and friends of the family were regular visitors.

Arthur and Molly were not members of the first Order of the Phoenix; it is unknown if they were otherwise involved in the war. However, Molly's brothers, Fabian and Gideon Prewett, joined the Order, and were eventually killed by five Death Eaters, one of whom was Antonin Dolohov. During the course of the war, Arthur and Molly had seven children: Bill in late 1970, Charlie in 1972, Percy in 1976, twins Fred and George in 1978, Ron in 1980, and Ginny in 1981. Molly had longed to have a daughter after having her first five sons, and had another son before finally having a daughter.

The war ended soon after Ginny's birth, but not before Molly's brothers Fabian and Gideon Prewett, both Order members, were murdered by Death Eaters. The Prewett brothers were ambushed by five Death Eaters and fought like "heroes". The family was upset when some Death Eaters, such as Lucius Malfoy, were able to get off scot-free by claiming that they had been under the Imperius Curse. Arthur believed they were lying, and he and Lucius were hostile towards one another whenever they crossed paths.

Between the wars

"Another Weasley, eh? I spent half me life chasin' yer twin brothers away from the forest."

— Rubeus Hagrid regarding Fred and George Weasley's tendency to get in trouble

Some members of the Weasley family. From left to right, up: Fred (or George), George (or Fred), Arthur; down: Molly, Ron, Ginny, Percy

The Weasleys have a long history of being Sorted into Gryffindor House. Molly and Arthur, along with their seven children, were all Sorted into the House. During their time at Hogwarts, all their first five children had made reputations for themselves. Bill was appointed Prefect in his fifth year and Head Boy in his seventh year and distinguished himself as a student, earning twelve O.W.L.s. He later went on to be a Curse-Breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

Charlie also was a Prefect, and in addition he was Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. He was also an incredibly skilled Seeker (according to Oliver Wood, he could have played for the national team), and, according to Minerva McGonagall, the only person whose Quidditch skills were better than his was Harry Potter's. After Charlie graduated from Hogwarts, he moved to Romania and worked at the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary as a dragonologist.

Percy was Prefect and Head Boy as well, and in addition a distinguished student (he earned top grades in his N.E.W.T.s). After Hogwarts, he went to work for the British Ministry of Magic. He worked briefly in the Department of International Magical Co-operation under Bartemius Crouch Senior. He would then became a junior assistant for Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge.

Fred and George were on the Quidditch team as Beaters. According to Ron, they received good marks during their early years, but mostly they were well known for their creativity. During their Hogwarts years, they invented several items such as Canary Creams and Skiving Snackboxes. The twins' Skiving Snackboxes included Fainting Fancies, Fever Fudge, Nosebleed Nougats, and Puking Pastilles.

Harry and Hermione in the back garden of The Burrow with the Weasley siblings

Ron felt dismay at being the sixth Weasley child to pass through Hogwarts. A large part of Ron's worries were caused by the fact that so many of the earlier Weasley children had excelled in some way or other. Ron eventually became a Prefect and a member of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, as did Ginny.

The Weasleys also became close to Harry Potter and the Muggle-born witch Hermione Granger, both Ron's best friends. Harry became an unofficial member of the family, receiving traditional Weasley jumpers and was even gifted with Fabian Prewett's watch when he turned seventeen. Molly was frequently as protective of him, as she was of her own children. Molly's Boggart was the corpses of her children as well as Harry. Later in life, both Harry and Hermione officially became members of the family, when Harry married Ginny and Hermione married Ron sometime after the Second Wizarding War.

Second Wizarding War

"My whole family are blood traitors! That's as bad as Muggle-borns to Death Eaters!"

— Ron Weasley regarding how Death Eaters viewed his family

Dumbledore's Army

The Weasleys' views led to their support to the Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore's Army during the Second Wizarding War. In 1995, Ron, Ginny, Fred, and George joined Dumbledore's Army, a student created organisation led by Harry. This group's goal was to arm students with defensive magic, so they would have a means of protecting themselves. The Weasley siblings were some of the D.A.s most loyal members. Dumbledore's Army was a highly important organisation that played an instrumental part in the war.

Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes

In 1996, Ron and Ginny both fought in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, receiving minor injuries for their efforts. This battle was a major conflict that had lasting repercussions. During the same year, Fred and George openedWeasleys' Wizard Wheezes at 93 Diagon Alley. The shop was highly profitable and the twins were "ranking in the galleons". Some of the items they sold were ones they perfected during their time at Hogwarts.

In 1997, Bill, Ron, and Ginny also fought in the Battle of the Astronomy Tower. They battled Death Eaters who gained entrance to Hogwarts through a Vanishing Cabinet. During the battle, Bill was savaged by Fenrir Greyback. He was not turned into a werewolf, but he did develop some wolfish tendencies such as a liking for very rare steaks. Ron and Ginny, however, escaped the battle unscathed. This lack of injuries was due (in part) to the Felix Felicis Harry had given them prior to the battle. The Weasleys also attended the funeral of Albus Dumbledore.

The Weasleys participating in the Battle of the Seven Potters

Also in 1997, Arthur, Bill, Fred, George, and Ron all fought in the Battle of the Seven Potters. During the battle, George's ear was cut off from Dark Magic, with Severus Snape mistakenly severing George's ear with Sectumsempra. Bill also witnessed the death of Alastor Moody at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Bill married Fleur Delacour on 1 August 1997 in the back garden of The Burrow. Ginny was a bridesmaid and Charlie the best man. The wedding was disrupted by the arrival of Death Eaters following the fall of the British Ministry of Magic. The Weasleys were harshly interrogated about the location of Harry Potter.

Arthur also participated in covert missions, such as guarding the prophecy regarding Harry on Dumbledore's orders. Bill also took a desk job at Gringotts in an attempt to persuade goblins to the Order of the Phoenix's side. In addition, Charlie worked as a recruiter. He spent much of his time trying to convince foreign wizards to join the fight against Voldemort, operating out of Romania. The Weasleys also opened their home to the Order, The Burrow replaced 12 Grimmauld Place as headquarters.

Ginny (along with Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom) became co-leader of the D.A., and rebelled against the Death Eaters that controlled Hogwarts. At one point during her sixth year, she and several other students tried stealing the Sword of Gryffindor. During the height of the latter conflict, the Weasleys were placed under surveillance by the Voldemort-controlled Ministry because they had been in close contact with Harry. The family eventually had to go into hiding in order to protect themselves. Fred and George participated in Potterwatch, a radio programme designed to raise moral in the fight against Voldemort and lend support to Harry.

The Weasleys arriving just before the start of the Battle of Hogwarts

In 1998, the Weasleys took part in the Battle of Hogwarts. During the second half of the battle, Arthur and Percy duelled and defeated Pius Thicknesse. Ginny, Hermione, and Luna dulled Bellatrix Lestrange. Molly killed Bellatrix after she almost murdered Ginny. Charlie arrived toward the end of the battle alongside Horace Slughorn. He and Horace led hundreds of reinforcements consisting of the residents of Hogsmeade and the friends and family of all the Hogwarts students who had chosen to stay and fight Voldemort and his Death Eater army. These reinforcements changed the tide of the battle in the favour of the defenders of Hogwarts. During the battle, Fred was killed in an explosion, deeply upsetting the rest of the family. George never got over his death and lamented the death of his twin for the rest of his life.

After the war

"Wherever there is a red head one may make an educated guess that it belongs to a Weasley, but it is difficult to tell whether it is George (wealthy co-manager of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes), Charlie (dragon wrangler, still unmarried — why?) or Percy (Head of the Department of Magical Transportation — it's his fault if the Floo Network's too busy!). The only one who is easy to recognise is Bill who, poor man, is grievously scarred from an encounter with a werewolf and yet somehow (enchantment? Love Potion? Blackmail? Kidnap?) married the undeniably beautiful (though doubtless empty-headed) Fleur Delacour."

— DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY REUNITES AT QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP FINAL

The Weasley family expanded after the war

The family's financial status likely changed with the great commercial success of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and the successful careers of various family members. By the twenty-first century, many Weasleys and their relatives worked for the Ministry of Magic, including Arthur, Percy, Ron, and their in-laws, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. The Weasley family also saw an expansion, as Molly and Arthur's children started having kids of their own.

Bill continued his work as a Curse Breaker. Charlie remained unmarried and proceeded to study dragons. Percy eventually became Head of the Department of Magical Transportation. George remained at Weasleys Wizard Wheezes and would never recover from the loss of his twin. Ron became an Auror after the war and retired after two years in order to join George at the shop. Ginny became a Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies. She eventually retired in order to start a family with Harry and became a sports editor and Quidditch correspondent for the Daily Prophet.

Family members

Main family

Arthur Weasley, one of three sons of Septimus and Cedrella Weasley,, met Molly Prewett while they attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the 1960s. They married soon after finishing school and went on to have seven children, whom they loved but did not spoil. All of those who were of age, except Percy, eventually became members of the reinstated Order of the Phoenix.

Wizard(s)	Notes
Matilda Weasley	Professor of Transfiguration and Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the late 19th century.
G. Weasley	Brother of Matilda Weasley and father of Garreth Weasley.
Garreth Weasley	Gryffindor Fifth year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during the late 19th century.
Garreth Weasley's sister	Daughter and youngest child of G. Weasley who was still too young to attend Hogwarts during the 1890–1891 school year.
Matilda Weasley's nephews	"Many" nephews of Matilda Weasley.
Hector Weasley	Gryffindor student in the late 19th century and participated in the Crossed Wands duelling club.
Septimus Weasley	Father of Arthur and his two brothers
Cedrella Weasley (née Black)	Wife of Septimus Weasley, and mother of Arthur and his two brothers
Arthur Weasley's two brothers	Oldest sons of Septimus and Cedrella Weasley.
Arthur Weasley	Youngest son of Septimus and Cedrella Weasley and father of William, Charles, Percy, Fred, George, Ronald and Ginevra Weasley; Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office from 1970 to 1996, head of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects as of 1996, and member of the Order of the Phoenix during the Second Wizarding War.
Molly Weasley (née Prewett)	Housewife/homemaker; wife of Arthur Weasley and mother of William, Charles, Percy, Fred, George, Ronald and Ginevra Weasley.
William Arthur Weasley	Curse Breaker for Gringotts Bank as of 1989; oldest child and son of Arthur and Molly Weasley, brother of of Charles, Percy, Fred, George, Ronald and Ginevra Weasley, and father of Victoire, Dominique and Louis Weasley.
Fleur Isabelle Weasley (née Delacour)	Wife of William "Bill" Weasley, and mother of Victoire, Dominique and Louis Weasley.
Charles Weasley	Dragonologist at a dragon sanctuary in Romania; second oldest child and son of Arthur and Molly Weasley, and brother of William, Percy, Fred, George, Ronald and Ginevra Weasley.
Percy Ignatius Weasley	Personal Assistant to the Head of the Department of International Magical Co-operation from 1994 to 1995, Junior Assistant to the Minister for Magic during the Second Wizarding War (until resigning to join the Order of the Phoenix in the Battle of Hogwarts), and Head of the Department of Magical Transportation as of 2014; third oldest child and son of Arthur and Molly Weasley, brother of William, Charles, Fred, George, Ronald and Ginevra Weasley, and father of Molly II and Lucy Weasley.
Audrey Weasley	Wife of Percy Weasley, and mother of Molly II and Lucy Weasley.
Fred Weasley	Co-founder of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes; fourth oldest child and son of Arthur and Molly Weasley, twin of George Weasley, and brother of William, Charles, Percy, Ronald and Ginevra Weasley. Died in an explosion during the Battle of Hogwarts.
George Weasley	Co-founder of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes; fifth oldest child and son of Arthur and Molly Weasley, twin of the late Fred Weasley, brother of William, Charles, Percy, Ronald and Ginevra Weasley, and father of Fred II and Roxanne Weasley.
Angelina Weasley (née Johnson)	Wife of George Weasley, and mother of Fred II and Roxanne Weasley.
Ronald Bilius Weasley	Professional Auror since the aftermath of the Second Wizarding War, and Assistant Manager of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes as of 2000; sixth oldest child and youngest son of Arthur and Molly Weasley, brother of William, Charles, Percy, Fred, George and Ginevra Weasley, and father of Rose and Hugo Granger-Weasley.
Hermione Jean Granger	Wife of Ron Weasley; kept her maiden name. Mother of Rose and Hugo Granger-Weasley.
Ginevra Molly Potter (née Weasley)	Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies from 1999 to 2002, Senior Quidditch Correspondent for the Daily Prophet from 2010 to 2018, and Sports Editor for the Prophet as of 2018; youngest child and sole daughter of Arthur and Molly Weasley, sister of William, Charles, Percy, Fred, George and Ronald Weasley, and wife of the famous Harry Potter. Mother of James Sirius, Albus Severus, and Lily Luna Potter
Weasley children's cousin	Son of one of Arthur Weasley's brothers
Harry James Potter	Working as Head of Auror Division at the Ministry of Magic, Husband of Ginevra Weasley. Father of James Sirius, Albus Severus, and Lily Luna Potter.
Victoire Weasley	Oldest daughter of William Weasley and Fleur Weasley, and sister of Dominique and Louis Weasley.
Dominique Weasley	Youngest daughter of William and Fleur Weasley, and sister of Victoire and Louis Weasley.
Louis Weasley	Sole son of William and Fleur Weasley, and brother Victoire and Dominique Weasley.
Molly Weasley (II)	Oldest daughter of Percy and Audrey Weasley, and sister of Lucy Weasley.
Lucy Weasley	Youngest daughter of Percy and Audrey Weasley, and sister of Molly Weasley II.
Fred Weasley (II)	Son of George and Angelina Weasley, and brother of Roxanne Weasley.
Roxanne Weasley	Daughter of George Weasley and Angelina Johnson, and sister of Fred Weasley II.
Rose Granger-Weasley	Daughter and elder child of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger
Hugo Granger-Weasley	Son and younger child of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger
Panju Weasley	Son of Ron Weasley and Padma Patil in an alternate reality created by Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy
James Sirius Potter	Eldest child of Harry Potter and Ginny Potter
Albus Severus Potter	Middle child of Harry Potter and Ginny Potter
Lily Luna Potter	Youngest child of Harry Potter and Ginny Potter

Weasley relatives

Wizard(s)	Notes
Mr Prewett	Father of Molly Weasley
Gideon Prewett	Molly's brothers
Fabian Prewett
Ignatius Prewett	Molly's uncle
Lucretia Prewett	Molly's aunt by marriage and a second cousin of Arthur Weasley
Callidora Longbottom	Arthur's maternal aunt
Charis Crouch
Bilius	A brother or brother-in-law of Arthur or Molly, by whom Ron was believed to have gotten his middle name
Uncle	Uncle of the Weasley children
Muriel	Molly's great-aunt
Monsieur Delacour	Father of Fleur Weasley
Apolline Delacour	Mother of Fleur Weasley
Gabrielle Delacour	Sister of Fleur Weasley
Mr Granger	Parents of Hermione Granger
Mrs Granger
James Potter (I)	Harry Potter's father
Lily J. Potter	Harry Potter's mother
Second cousin	Second cousin of Molly Weasley
Tessie	Great Aunt of Arthur and Molly's children but it is uncertain through which of two she is related (whether Weasley or Prewett)

Family tree

Weasley family

Matilda Weasley

G. Weasley

Possible siblings

Garreth Weasley

1 daughter

Son(s)

Hector Weasley

House of Black

Septimus Weasley

Cedrella Black

Prewett family

2 sons

Arthur Weasley

Molly Prewett

Potter family

Delacour family

Charles Weasley

Percy Weasley

Audrey

Fred Weasley †

Johnson family

Granger family

Ginevra Weasley

Harry Potter

Fleur Delacour

William Weasley

Molly Weasley

Lucy Weasley

George Weasley

Angelina Johnson

Ronald Weasley

Hermione Granger

Victoire Weasley

Dominique Weasley

Louis Weasley

Fred Weasley

Roxanne Weasley

Rose Granger-Weasley

Hugo Granger-Weasley

James Potter

Albus Potter

Lily Potter

Etymology

• There appears to be a pattern in the Weasley family of members having names that may possibly allude to figures in medieval history and Arthurian legend:
  • Arthur Weasley, shares a given name with King Arthur, the central character of Arthurian legends.
  • The eldest son, Bill, has the same given name as William Marshal. Between the mid 12th and early 13th centuries, this knight rose from obscurity by serving four Plantagenet kings of England (Henry II, Richard I, John and Henry III), and eventually became Regent of England. At times, he is referred to as the "Flower of Chivalry". In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Bill marries Fleur Delacour, whose name translates as "flower of the court".
  • Charles Weasley's name may be a reference to Charlemagne.
  • Fred Weasley's name is a diminutive of the name Frederick, which may be an allusion to Frederick Barbarossa. Frederick was an Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, served in both the Second and Third Crusades. His nickname, Barbarossa, means "red beard".
  • George Weasley's name may be a reference to St George.
  • Percy Weasley's name is a diminutive of the name Percival, which was the name of one of Arthur's Knights of the Round Table.
  • Ron Weasley connects into this pattern of medieval and Arthurian naming in three ways:
    • Firstly, he shares his name with King Arthur's spear Rhongomyniad, which Geoffrey of Monmouth called "Ron".
    • If one were to take the name Ronald and switch the "n" and "l", they would have Roland. Historically Roland was a military leader under Charlemagne and was responsible for defending the Frankish Kingdom's border with Brittany. Brittany is considered a potential place of origin for many of the Arthurian legends. Later, he became the subject of a chanson de geste, which is considered one of the earliest pieces of French literature, and was popular throughout the medieval era.
    • The name Ronald is derived from an Old Norse name that was a cognate of the name Reginald. This connection is supported when Ron uses Polyjuice Potion to masquerade as Reginald Cattermole while infiltrating the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. During 12th century, there were two Reginalds that this cognitive naming may be an allusion to:
      • Reginald of Durham was a monk who chronicled the life of Saint Godric of Finchale, who shares a given name with Godric Gryffindor, founder of Gryffindor House.
      • Raynald of Châtillon (Raynald is also a cognate of Reginald), served in the Second Crusade and ruled as Prince of Antioch until he was captured and executed by Saladin. While discussing the Deathly Hallows with Harry and Hermione, Ron states that he favours the Elder Wand, whose original wielder was Antioch Peverell.
  • Ginny Weasley's full name is Ginevra, the Italian form of the name Guinevere, who was Arthur's queen.
  • Also, Muriel had a cousin named Lancelot, who was one of Arthur's knights, though it should be noted that Muriel is only related to the Weasleys by the marriage of her niece Molly.

Author's comments

• J. K. Rowling has said that unlike with many other characters, Ron Weasley's name always remained the same in various drafts of the series. She has remarked that the surname Weasley is derived from the weasel, which is also Arthur Weasley's Patronus. About the family's name and characteristic red hair, she commented:

"In Britain and Ireland the weasel has a bad reputation as an unfortunate, even malevolent, animal. However, since childhood I have had a great fondness for the family mustelidae; not so much malignant as maligned, in my opinion. There are also many superstitions associated with redheaded people and most state that they are in some way unlucky (Judas Escariot was supposedly red-haired), but this is nonsense; I happen to like red hair as well as weasels."

"I have always been drawn to the idea of large families, even as a child; perhaps I wanted more siblings to boss around, or wanted to escape into a corner to daydream without being missed as easily. I've devoured biographies of the Kennedy and Mitford families for years, and one of my best friends is the oldest of 12, so I'm well aware that life in a large clan is not without its drawbacks. Nevertheless, the Harry Potter books were my chance to create my own, ideal big family, and my hero is never happier than when holidaying with the seven Weasleys."

Behind the scenes

• In the Harry Potter film adaptations, the Weasleys are portrayed by:
  • Mark Williams, who portrays Arthur Weasley in all film adaptations except Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, in which Arthur does not appear.
  • Julie Walters, who portrays Molly Weasley in all film adaptations except Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, in which Molly does not appear.
  • Richard Fish and Domhnall Gleeson, who both portray Bill Weasley. Fish portrayed him in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, in the family photo of their trip to Egypt. Gleeson portrays Bill in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
  • Alex Crockford, who portrayed Charles Weasley in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in the Weasley family photo on holiday in Egypt. A young man who appears to be Charlie is seen beside Nymphadora Tonks in the wedding scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
  • Chris Rankin who portrays Percy Weasley, did not appear in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire or Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
  • James and Oliver Phelps, who portray Fred and George respectively in all film adaptations.
  • Rupert Grint, who portrays Ron Weasley in all film adaptations.
  • Bonnie Wright, who portrays Ginny Weasley in all film adaptations.
• Hermione Granger's Patronus is an otter, which is in the same family as the weasel, Mustelidae. This, as well as the fact that the Weasleys live in Ottery St Catchpole, may have foreshadowed her marriage into the family.
  • Her nephew Albus Potter owns a pet ferret, which is also in the same family as the weasel.
• Weasley sounds like weaver, convenient considering that Molly Weasley loves to knit, or at least charm her needles to do it for her.
• The only sons of Arthur Weasley and Molly Weasley that do not have any known children are Fred Weasley and Charles Weasley, the former because of his death and the latter because he is much more interested in studying dragons.
• The Weasleys own a tractor.
• Harry Potter has saved several lives of members of the Weasley family, something Arthur and Molly gratefully pointed out, and believed it was lucky that Ron chose to sit in the same cabin on their first day at the Hogwarts Express.
  • He destroyed Tom Riddle's diary before Ginny had her life force drained away.
  • He saw Arthur being attacked by Nagini and reported it in time to save him.
  • He gave Ron a bezoar when he was poisoned.
  • He shielded Molly when Voldemort turned on her after she killed Bellatrix Lestrange in the Battle of Hogwarts.
• Long before Harry and Ginny's marriage, the Weasleys and Potters were already related, through the marriages of Dorea and Cedrella Black, both first cousins born into the House of Black, to Charlus Potter and Septimus Weasley respectively, making the latter cousins-in-law. Only the union between Dorea and Charlus, however, was accepted by the Blacks, while Cedrella faced repudiation from the family, a contradiction in terms considering that both the Potters and the Weasleys were once considered blood traitors alike.
  • Therefore, Cedrella's three sons with Septimus, most notably Arthur Weasley himself, and Dorea's son with Charlus, are second cousins.
• Along with the Muggle Granger family, the Weasleys are also related to the Muggle Evans family and the Muggle Dursley family. They are related to the Evans and Dursleys through Harry Potter, who married Ginny.
• The only children who may call the Weasleys their "maternal family" are the children of Ginny: James Sirius, Albus Severus, and Lily Luna Potter.
• It is possible that Victoire Weasley, Bill and Fleur's daughter, might marry Teddy Lupin, making the Weasleys related to the Lupin family in two ways: from the marriage of Victoire and from sharing distant ancestry through the Black family.
• J. K. Rowling said in an interview that Molly Weasley educated her children in the basics (reading, maths, spelling, grammar, etc.) before they went to Hogwarts.
• If the young man seen beside Tonks in the wedding scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is in fact Charlie, that would mean that this is the second film (along with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) in which all nine Weasleys appear.
• The blood status of Percy's wife, Audrey (maiden name also unknown) and George's wife (Angelina Johnson) are unconfirmed; however, unless at least one was a pure-blood, the pure-blood status of the Weasley family would have ended with Molly and Arthur's children, since Bill married Fleur (1/4 Veela), Ron married Hermione (Muggle-born), and Ginny married Harry (Half-blood).
• The oldest child, Bill has his father's first name, Arthur, as his middle name and the youngest child, Ginny, has her mother's first name, Molly, as her middle name.
• Orange hair was considered a sign of witchcraft in medieval times.
• According to houseofnames.com, the Weasley family originally hailed from Normandy in France. This would make the Weasley family potentially older than even the House of Black, as the Blacks are French in origin, dating back to High Medieval times while the invasion by William the Conqueror is early Medieval (1066 AD).

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (play)
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Mentioned only)
• Quidditch Through the Ages (Mentioned only)
• Pottermore
• Harry Potter (website)
• LEGO Harry Potter: Building the Magical World
• LEGO Harry Potter
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
• LEGO Creator: Harry Potter
• Creator: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• LEGO Dimensions
• LEGO Harry Potter
• Harry Potter Trading Card Game
• Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup
• Harry Potter for Kinect
• Harry Potter: The Character Vault
• Harry Potter: The Creature Vault
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
• Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
• Hogwarts Legacy