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{{FA}}
 
{{FA}}
 
{{Youmay|the family|the family residence, [[12 Grimmauld Place]]}}
 
{{Youmay|the family|the family residence, [[12 Grimmauld Place]]}}
 
{{Family infobox
{{Family_infobox
 
 
|image=[[File:Toujours Pur.jpg|250px]]
 
|image=[[File:Toujours Pur.jpg|250px]]
|name=The Noble and Most Ancient <br />House of Black
+
|name=The Noble and Most Ancient<br />House of Black
|blood=[[Pure-blood]]/[[Half-blood]]<ref>Squibs and members who married non-purebloods were disowned, and they and their descendants were not considered part of the family</ref>
+
|blood=[[Pure-blood]] in the direct line/[[Half-blood]] in secondary lines<ref>Squibs and members who married non-purebloods were disowned, and they and their descendants were not considered part of the family</ref>
 
|family members=*[[Phineas Nigellus Black]]
 
|family members=*[[Phineas Nigellus Black]]
 
*[[Bellatrix Lestrange|Bellatrix Black]]
 
*[[Bellatrix Lestrange|Bellatrix Black]]
*[[Regulus Black|Regulus Arcturus Black]]
+
*[[Andromeda Tonks|Andromeda Black]] (disowned)
 
*[[Narcissa Malfoy|Narcissa Black]]
 
*[[Narcissa Malfoy|Narcissa Black]]
*[[Eduardus Limette Black]] (disowned)
+
*[[Regulus Black|Regulus Arcturus Black]]
*[[Isla Black]] (disowned)
 
*[[Phineas Black]] (disowned)
 
*[[Marius Black]] (disowned)
 
*[[Cedrella Black]] (disowned)
 
*[[Alphard Black]] (disowned)
 
 
*[[Sirius Black]] (disowned)
 
*[[Sirius Black]] (disowned)
 
|status=Extinct in the male line;<ref name="OP37">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' - Chapter 37 (''The Lost Prophecy''): ''"Am I to understand," said Phineas Nigellus slowly from Harry's left, "that my great-great-grandson — the last of the Blacks — is dead?"''</ref> female line extant through disowned family members and through the [[Malfoy family]]
*[[Andromeda Tonks|Andromeda Black]] (disowned)
 
|status=Extinct<ref name="OP37">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' - Chapter 37 (''The Lost Prophecy''): "''"Am I to understand," said Phineas Nigellus slowly from Harry's left, "that my great-great-grandson — the last of the Blacks — is dead?"''"</ref> in the male line; female line extant through disowned family members and through the [[Malfoy family]]
 
 
|related=*[[Blishwick family]]
 
|related=*[[Blishwick family]]
 
*[[Bulstrode family]]
 
*[[Bulstrode family]]
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}}
 
}}
 
{{Quote|Toujours pur.|The family motto, translating to "Always Pure"|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
 
{{Quote|Toujours pur.|The family motto, translating to "Always Pure"|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
 
'''The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black''' was one of the largest, oldest and wealthiest [[pure-blood]]ed wizarding families in Britain, and one of the [[Sacred Twenty-Eight]]. Many wizarding families in Britain are distantly related to the House of Black. Like the [[Malfoy family|Malfoy]] and [[Lestrange (Riddle-era)|Lestrange]] families, the House of Black is synonymous with elevated status and wealth. The Black family tree is displayed in the drawing room of the family home at [[12 Grimmauld Place]] in [[London]], [[England]] on [[Black family tree tapestry|an intricate tapestry]], as an ornate mural. It starts in the Middle Ages and shows the dominant line of the family up to the present day.<ref name="BFT">Black Family Tree</ref>
   
 
By the late twentieth century, the House of Black had become extinct in the male line with the deaths of [[Sirius Black|Sirius]] and [[Regulus Black]], neither of whom had children. The female line continued through the [[Malfoy family]] and [[Edward Lupin|Teddy Lupin]], though the latter descends from [[Andromeda Tonks|a Black who was disowned]]. It has not been confirmed that the Potter family is also distantly related to the Black family through Dorea Black; they are, however, related through Ginny Weasley, who married Harry Potter and had three children.
'''The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black''' was one of the largest, oldest and wealthiest [[pure-blood]]ed wizarding families in Britain. Many wizarding families in Britain are distantly related to the House of Black. Like the [[Malfoy]] and [[Lestrange]] families, the House of Black is synonymous with elevated status and wealth. The Black family tree is displayed in the drawing room of the family home at [[12 Grimmauld Place]] in [[London]], [[England]] on [[Black family tree tapestry|an intricate tapestry]], as an ornate mural. It starts in the Middle Ages and shows the dominant line of the family up to the present day.<ref name="BFT">Black Family Tree</ref>
 
 
By the late twentieth century, the House of Black had become extinct in the male line with the deaths of [[Sirius Black|Sirius]] and [[Regulus Black]], neither of whom had children. The female line remained extant through the [[Malfoy family]] and [[Ted Lupin|Teddy Lupin]], though the latter descends from [[Andromeda Tonks|a Black who was disowned]]. It has not been confirmed that the Potter family is also distantly related to the Black family through Dorea Black.
 
   
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
{{Quote|...my parents, with their [[pure-blood]] [[Pure-blood supremacy|mania]], convinced that to be a Black made you practically royal...|[[Sirius Black]] to [[Harry Potter]] on his family's values|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
 
{{Quote|...my parents, with their [[pure-blood]] [[Pure-blood supremacy|mania]], convinced that to be a Black made you practically royal...|[[Sirius Black]] to [[Harry Potter]] on his family's values|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
 
 
[[File:Siriusveil.jpg|thumb|left|260px|[[Sirius Black]] being pushed into the [[Veil]] to his death by a curse of [[Bellatrix Lestrange|his cousin's]], ending the male line of the House of Black.]]
 
[[File:Siriusveil.jpg|thumb|left|260px|[[Sirius Black]] being pushed into the [[Veil]] to his death by a curse of [[Bellatrix Lestrange|his cousin's]], ending the male line of the House of Black.]]
 
 
The Black family traces its origin back to the Middle Ages. They claim to have entirely [[magic]]al ancestry, but as [[Sirius Black]] informed his godson [[Harry Potter]], no true [[pure-blood]] families existed by the twentieth century. The pure-blood families like the Blacks simply removed [[Muggle]]s and [[Squib]]s from their family trees. The Blacks place a great importance on [[blood purity]], considering themselves akin to royalty in the [[wizarding world]] and disdaining [[Muggle]]s, [[Squib]]s, [[Blood traitor]]s and [[Muggle-born]]s. The family motto, which can be found on the family crest, is ''Toujours Pur'', which means "Always Pure" in French. Many members took this phrase very seriously.<ref name="OOTP">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''</ref>
 
The Black family traces its origin back to the Middle Ages. They claim to have entirely [[magic]]al ancestry, but as [[Sirius Black]] informed his godson [[Harry Potter]], no true [[pure-blood]] families existed by the twentieth century. The pure-blood families like the Blacks simply removed [[Muggle]]s and [[Squib]]s from their family trees. The Blacks place a great importance on [[blood purity]], considering themselves akin to royalty in the [[wizarding world]] and disdaining [[Muggle]]s, [[Squib]]s, [[Blood traitor]]s and [[Muggle-born]]s. The family motto, which can be found on the family crest, is ''Toujours Pur'', which means "Always Pure" in French. Many members took this phrase very seriously.<ref name="OOTP">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''</ref>
   
Because of their views, a large number of the Black family members practise the [[Dark Arts]] and supported [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] during the [[First Wizarding War|First]] and [[Second Wizarding War]]s. A few Blacks even became [[Death Eaters]], while many others never took the [[Dark Mark]] but believed in the "purification" of the wizarding world nevertheless.<ref name="OOTP" /> A few members of the family, however, disagreed with the traditional views of their family; [[Sirius Black]], for example, joined the [[Order of the Phoenix]], as did [[Nymphadora Tonks]], a distant member of the Black family. Both were murdered by [[Bellatrix Lestrange|Bellatrix Lestrange née Black]], Sirius' cousin and Tonks' aunt, in battle. Supportive of Voldemort at first, the family loyalists who did not become Death Eaters got cold feet when they saw the levels he would go to achieve his goals.
+
Because of their views, a large number of the Black family members practise the [[Dark Arts]] and supported [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] during the [[First Wizarding War|First]] and [[Second Wizarding War]]s. A few Blacks even became [[Death Eaters]], while many others never took the [[Dark Mark]] but believed in the "purification" of the wizarding world nevertheless.<ref name="OOTP" /> A few members of the family, however, disagreed with the traditional views of their family; [[Sirius Black]], for example, joined the [[Order of the Phoenix]], as did [[Nymphadora Tonks]], a distant member of the Black family. Both were murdered by [[Bellatrix Lestrange|Bellatrix Lestrange née Black]], Sirius's cousin and Tonks's aunt, in battle. Supportive of Voldemort at first, the family loyalists who did not become Death Eaters got cold feet when they saw the levels he would go to achieve his goals. Their hatred towards muggles is such that some members who are not outright Death Eaters would go to lengths to persecute them, such as [[Araminta Meliflua]] trying to pass a [[Ministry Bill to make Muggle-hunting legal]].
   
With Sirius' death, the male line of the Black family ended; the female line continues through the descendants of his cousins [[Andromeda Tonks]] and [[Narcissa Malfoy]], his second cousin, once removed, [[Arthur Weasley]], the [[Burke family]], the Crouches, the Longbottoms and the [[Potter family]]<ref name="DH">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''</ref>.
+
With Sirius's death, the male line of the Black family ended; the female line continues through the descendants of his cousins [[Andromeda Tonks]] and [[Narcissa Malfoy]], his second cousin, once removed, [[Arthur Weasley]], the [[Burke family]], the Crouches, the Longbottoms and the [[Potter family]]<ref name="DH">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''</ref>.
   
 
Harry is shocked to find Sirius is related to the Malfoys, but Sirius explains all pure blood families are interlinked somehow. Sirius is, in fact, related to Molly and Arthur Weasley.
 
Harry is shocked to find Sirius is related to the Malfoys, but Sirius explains all pure blood families are interlinked somehow. Sirius is, in fact, related to Molly and Arthur Weasley.
   
==Family Tree==
+
==Family tree==
 
{{Quote|En stirps nobilis et gens antiquissima Black.|[[Latin]] inscription on the [[Black family tree tapestry]]; "Behold the offspring of noble birth and the nation of the most ancient of Black".|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)}}
 
{{Quote|En stirps nobilis et gens antiquissima Black.|[[Latin]] inscription on the [[Black family tree tapestry]]; "Behold the offspring of noble birth and the nation of the most ancient of Black".|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)}}
   
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The published tree does not contain descendants of side branches of the family.
 
The published tree does not contain descendants of side branches of the family.
   
==="Blasted Off"===
+
==="Blasted off"===
 
[[File:Sirius Disowned.jpg|thumb|200px|Sirius' burn mark on the Black family tree.]]
 
[[File:Sirius Disowned.jpg|thumb|200px|Sirius' burn mark on the Black family tree.]]
 
{{Quote|Blood traitor, abomination, shame of my flesh! …Filth! Scum! By-products of dirt and vileness! How dare you befoul the house of my fathers!|[[Portrait of Walburga Black at 12 Grimmauld Place|The portrait]] of [[Walburga Black]] screaming at [[Sirius Black|her "traitor" son]]|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
 
{{Quote|Blood traitor, abomination, shame of my flesh! …Filth! Scum! By-products of dirt and vileness! How dare you befoul the house of my fathers!|[[Portrait of Walburga Black at 12 Grimmauld Place|The portrait]] of [[Walburga Black]] screaming at [[Sirius Black|her "traitor" son]]|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
 
The original tree described from Grimmauld Place was subject to some magical interference. According to [[Sirius Black]], his mother [[Walburga Black|Walburga]] blasted names of "[[blood traitor]]s" off the tapestry without hesitation.<ref name="OOTP" /> The Black family motto of ''Toujours Pur'' ("always pure") was followed assiduously by family members; any who disagreed with the notion of [[blood purity]] or married [[Muggle]]s or people of different blood statuses were disowned and blasted off the family tree, as were any [[Squib]]s. Thus, family members that remain on the tapestry can be assumed to have married fellow ("respectable") [[pure-blood]]s. Some even married their own cousins; Walburga and [[Orion Black]], for instance, were second cousins. Generations of this practice resulted in [[Wikipedia:Inbreeding|inbreeding]], which in turn has caused problems such as low fertility and mental instability.
   
 
The known disowned members are [[Eduardus Limette Black]] (for an unknown reason)[[Isla Black]], for marrying Muggle or Muggle-born [[Bob Hitchens]][[Phineas Black]], for supporting Muggle rights[[Marius Black]], for being a Squib[[Cedrella Black]], for marrying blood traitor [[Septimus Weasley]][[Alphard Black]], for giving gold to his runaway nephew [[Sirius Black|Sirius]]Sirius Black III, for running away from home; and [[Andromeda Black]], for marrying Muggle-born [[Edward Tonks|Ted Tonks]].
The original tree described from Grimmauld Place was subject to some magical interference. According to [[Sirius Black]], his mother [[Walburga Black|Walburga]] blasted names of "[[blood traitor]]s" off the tapestry without hesitation.<ref name="OOTP" /> The Black family motto of ''Toujours Pur'' ("always pure") was followed assiduously by family members; any who disagreed with the notion of [[blood purity]] or married [[Muggle]]s or people of different blood statuses were disowned and blasted off the family tree, as were any [[Squib]]s. Thus, family members that remain on the tapestry can be assumed to have married fellow [[pure-blood]]s. Some even married their own cousins; Walburga and [[Orion Black]], for instance, were second cousins. Generations of this practice resulted in [[Wikipedia:Inbreeding|inbreeding]], which in turn has caused problems such as low fertility and mental instability.
 
 
The known disowned members are [[Eduardus Limette Black]] (for an unknown reason), [[Isla Black]], for marrying Muggle or Muggle-born [[Bob Hitchens]], [[Phineas Black]], for supporting Muggle rights, [[Marius Black]], for being a Squib, [[Cedrella Black]], for marrying blood traitor [[Septimus Weasley]], [[Alphard Black]], for giving gold to his runaway nephew [[Sirius Black|Sirius]], Sirius Black III, for running away from home, and [[Andromeda Black]], for marrying Muggle-born [[Ted Tonks]].
 
   
 
{|class="wikitable" border="1"
 
{|class="wikitable" border="1"
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|-
 
|-
 
|[[Andromeda Black]]
 
|[[Andromeda Black]]
|Marriage to [[Muggle-born]] [[Ted Tonks]]
+
|Marriage to [[Muggle-born]] [[Edward Tonks|Ted Tonks]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Sirius Black]]
 
|[[Sirius Black]]
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|}
 
|}
   
===Etymology of Given Names===
+
===Blood relatives===
Most Black family members are named after stars or constellations. For example, the star [[Wikipedia:Sirius|Sirius]] is in the constellation Canis Major (the Dog). What's more, [[Sirius Black]], an [[Animagus]], could morph at will into a black dog named Padfoot. Another example is [[Wikipedia:Bellatrix|Bellatrix]], the third brightest star in the constellation [[Wikipedia:Orion|Orion]], which is also the name of Sirius's father and Bellatrix's uncle. [[Wikipedia:Cygnus|Cygnus]], [[Wikipedia:Andromeda (constellation)|Andromeda]], and [[Wikipedia:Cassiopeia (constellation)|Cassiopeia]] are also constellations, and [[Wikipedia:Regulus|Regulus]], [[Wikipedia:Alphard|Alphard]] and [[Wikipedia:Arcturus|Arcturus]] are stars as well.
 
 
Some members of the extended family have also chosen to follow this naming pattern. For example, [[Narcissa Malfoy|Narcissa Malfoy née Black]] named her son [[Draco Malfoy|Draco]], which is the name of a [[Wikipedia:Draco (constellation)|constellation]]. In turn, he named his son [[Scorpius Malfoy|Scorpius]], which is one of the [[Wikipedia:Scorpius|constellations]] of the zodiac, known as ''Scorpio'' in Western astrology. Narcissa herself, however, was not named in keeping with this convention. She was instead named for a plant, the flower Narcissus. [[Lycoris Black]] is also named for a plant.
 
 
However if a member of the family is disowned and blasted off the Black family tree then the name is never used again in the following generations.
 
 
{|class="wikitable" border="1"
 
!Family Name
 
!Astronomical Origin
 
|-
 
|Alphard Black
 
|Alphard is the brightest star in the constellation Hydra.
 
|-
 
|Andromeda Tonks née Black
 
|Andromeda is a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere and the name of a galaxy.
 
|-
 
|Arcturus Black I, II, III
 
|Arcturus is the brightest star in the constellation Boötes the Herdsman.
 
|-
 
|Bellatrix Lestrange née Black
 
|Bellatrix is a star in the constellation Orion.
 
|-
 
|Cassiopeia Black
 
|Cassiopeia is a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere.
 
|-
 
|Cygnus Black I, II, III
 
|Cygnus is a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere, also known as the Northern Cross.
 
|-
 
|Draco Malfoy
 
|Draco is a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere.
 
|-
 
|Orion Black
 
|Orion is a well-known constellation in the Northern Hemisphere.
 
|-
 
|Phoebe Black
 
|Phoebe is perhaps associated with another name of the sun god Apollo, Phoebus.
 
|-
 
|Pollux Black
 
|Pollux is a star in the constellation Gemini.
 
|-
 
|Regulus Black I, II
 
|Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo.
 
|-
 
|Scorpius Malfoy
 
|Scorpius is a constellation in the Southern Hemisphere.
 
|-
 
|Sirius Black I, II, III
 
|Sirius is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major.
 
|}
 
 
===Blood Relatives===
 
 
[[File:BellatrixLestrangeRoomOfRequirementSmirk.png|thumb|130px|right|[[Bellatrix Lestrange|Bellatrix Lestrange (née Black)]].]]
 
[[File:BellatrixLestrangeRoomOfRequirementSmirk.png|thumb|130px|right|[[Bellatrix Lestrange|Bellatrix Lestrange (née Black)]].]]
 
*[[Alexia Walkin Black]]
 
*[[Alexia Walkin Black]]
 
*[[Alphard Black]] — removed posthumously for leaving money to his disowned nephew
 
*[[Alphard Black]] — removed posthumously for leaving money to his disowned nephew
*[[Andromeda Tonks|Andromeda Tonks née Black]] — disowned for marrying a [[Muggle-born]], [[Ted Tonks]]
+
*[[Andromeda Tonks|Andromeda Tonks née Black]] — disowned for marrying a [[Muggle-born]], [[Edward Tonks|Ted Tonks]]
 
*[[Arcturus Black I]]
 
*[[Arcturus Black I]]
 
*[[Arcturus Black II]]
 
*[[Arcturus Black II]]
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*[[Walburga Black]] - mother of Sirius and Regulus Black.
 
*[[Walburga Black]] - mother of Sirius and Regulus Black.
   
===Relatives by Marriage===
+
===Relatives by marriage===
 
[[File:LuciusMalfoy1.jpg|thumb|right|170px|[[Lucius Malfoy]].]]
 
[[File:LuciusMalfoy1.jpg|thumb|right|170px|[[Lucius Malfoy]].]]
 
*[[Bob Hitchens]] — husband of [[Isla Black]]
 
*[[Bob Hitchens]] — husband of [[Isla Black]]
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*[[Rodolphus Lestrange]] — husband of [[Bellatrix Lestrange|Bellatrix Lestrange née Black]]
 
*[[Rodolphus Lestrange]] — husband of [[Bellatrix Lestrange|Bellatrix Lestrange née Black]]
 
*[[Septimus Weasley]] — husband of [[Cedrella Black]]
 
*[[Septimus Weasley]] — husband of [[Cedrella Black]]
*[[Ted Tonks]] — husband of [[Andromeda Tonks|Andromeda Tonks née Black]]
+
*[[Edward Tonks|Ted Tonks]] — husband of [[Andromeda Tonks|Andromeda Tonks née Black]]
 
*[[Magenta Tripe]] — wife of [[Licorus Black]]
 
*[[Magenta Tripe]] — wife of [[Licorus Black]]
 
*[[Ursula Flint]] — wife of [[Phineas Nigellus Black]]
 
*[[Ursula Flint]] — wife of [[Phineas Nigellus Black]]
 
*[[Violetta Bulstrode]] — wife of [[Cygnus Black II]]
 
*[[Violetta Bulstrode]] — wife of [[Cygnus Black II]]
 
[[File:Neville-Longbottom-neville-longbottom-22817808-600-449.jpg|thumb|150px|Neville Longbottom]]
   
 
===Distant relatives===
[[File:Neville-Longbottom-neville-longbottom-22817808-600-449.jpg|thumb|148px|Neville Longbottom]]
 
===Distant Relatives===
 
 
[[File:Weasleys.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Four of the [[Weasley family|Weasley]] children.]]
 
[[File:Weasleys.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Four of the [[Weasley family|Weasley]] children.]]
[[File:Draco Malfoy.JPG|thumb|right|140px|[[Draco Malfoy]].]]
+
[[File:Draco Malfoy.JPG|thumb|right|150px|[[Draco Malfoy]].]]
[[File:Nymphadora_Tonks.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Nymphadora Lupin]].]]
+
[[File:Nymphadora Tonks.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Nymphadora Tonks|Nymphadora Lupin]].]]
 
[[File:Barty Crouch Jr.JPG|thumb|right|150px|[[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|Barty Crouch Jr.]].]]
 
[[File:Barty Crouch Jr.JPG|thumb|right|150px|[[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|Barty Crouch Jr.]].]]
   
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|Husband of [[Nymphadora Tonks]].
 
|Husband of [[Nymphadora Tonks]].
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Ted Lupin|Teddy Lupin]]
+
|[[Edward Lupin|Teddy Lupin]]
 
|Maternal grandmother is [[Andromeda Tonks|Andromeda Tonks née Black]].
 
|Maternal grandmother is [[Andromeda Tonks|Andromeda Tonks née Black]].
 
|-
 
|-
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|-
 
|-
 
|[[Harry Potter]]
 
|[[Harry Potter]]
|Relation of [[Dorea Black|Dorea Potter née Black]] and husband of [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]].
+
|Possible relation of [[Dorea Black|Dorea Potter née Black]] and husband of [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]].
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[James Potter II]]
 
|[[James Potter II]]
|Maternal great-grandmother is [[Cedrella Black|Cedrella Weasley née Black]]; relative of [[Dorea Black|Dorea Potter née Black]].
+
|Maternal great-grandmother is [[Cedrella Black|Cedrella Weasley née Black]]; possible relative of [[Dorea Black|Dorea Potter née Black]].
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Albus Potter]]
 
|[[Albus Potter]]
|Maternal great-grandmother is [[Cedrella Black|Cedrella Weasley née Black]]; relative of [[Dorea Black|Dorea Potter née Black]].
+
|Maternal great-grandmother is [[Cedrella Black|Cedrella Weasley née Black]]; possible relative of [[Dorea Black|Dorea Potter née Black]].
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Lily Potter]]
 
|[[Lily Potter]]
|Maternal great-grandmother-in-law is [[Cedrella Black|Cedrella Weasley née Black]]; relative of [[Dorea Black|Dorea Potter née Black]].
+
|Maternal great-grandmother-in-law is [[Cedrella Black|Cedrella Weasley née Black]]; possible relative of [[Dorea Black|Dorea Potter née Black]].
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Araminta Meliflua]]
 
|[[Araminta Meliflua]]
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[[File:Black Family Tree .jpg|230 px|right|thumb|Part of the family tree tapestry.]]
 
[[File:Black Family Tree .jpg|230 px|right|thumb|Part of the family tree tapestry.]]
Thus, the Blacks are related to the [[Ella Max|Max]], [[Blishwick family|Blishwick]], [[Flint family|Flint]], [[Bob Hitchens|Hitchens]] [[Gamp family|Gamp]], [[Bulstrode family|Bulstrode]], [[Burke family|Burke]], [[Yaxley family|Yaxley]], [[Macmillan family|Macmillan]], [[Crabbe family|Crabbe]], [[Potter family|Potter]], [[Peverell family|Peverell]], [[House of Gaunt|Gaunt]], [[Longbottom family|Longbottom]], [[Fortescue family|Fortescue]], [[Weasley family|Weasley]], [[Delacour family|Delacour]], [[Angelina Johnson|Johnson]], [[Granger]], [[Crouch family|Crouch]], [[Prewett family|Prewett]], [[Rosier family|Rosier]], [[Lestrange family|Lestrange]], [[Araminta Meliflua|Meliflua]], [[Tonks family|Tonks]], [[Malfoy family|Malfoy]], and [[Lupin family|Lupin]] families (albeit most of them distantly) but are related to all wizarding families as all families were once pure-blood and all pure-blood families are related. Also, muggle-born people are descendants of Squibs who are born into either a pure-blood family or a half-blood family (which is part pure-blood). Therefore, all wizarding families (and some Muggle ones) are related to the House of Black.
+
Thus, the Blacks are related to the [[Ella Max|Max]], [[Blishwick family|Blishwick]], [[Flint family|Flint]], [[Bob Hitchens|Hitchens]], [[Gamp family|Gamp]], [[Bulstrode family|Bulstrode]], [[Burke family|Burke]], [[Yaxley family|Yaxley]], [[Macmillan family|Macmillan]], [[Crabbe family|Crabbe]], [[Potter family|Potter]], [[Peverell family|Peverell]], [[House of Gaunt|Gaunt]], [[Longbottom family|Longbottom]], [[Fortescue family|Fortescue]], [[Weasley family|Weasley]], [[Delacour family|Delacour]], [[Angelina Johnson|Johnson]], [[Granger family|Granger]], [[Crouch family|Crouch]], [[Prewett family|Prewett]], [[Rosier family|Rosier]], [[Lestrange family|Lestrange]], [[Araminta Meliflua|Meliflua]], [[Tonks family|Tonks]], [[Malfoy family|Malfoy]], and [[Lupin family|Lupin]] families (albeit most of them distantly) but are related to all wizarding families as all families were once pure-blood and all pure-blood families are related. Also, muggle-born people are descendants of Squibs who are born into either a pure-blood family or a half-blood family (which is part pure-blood). Therefore, all wizarding families (and some Muggle ones) are related to the House of Black.
   
===Physical Appearances===
+
===Black family tree===
  +
[[File:126611239.jpg|thumb|left|330px|Memebers of the House of Black]]
The Blacks are commonly described as having "great good looks". They are considered to be beautiful people, being tall, thin and having nice-looking faces. The traditional look for most of the Black family is black hair and dark eyes with some exceptions such as: [[Narcissa Malfoy|Narcissa Malfoy née Black]] who has blonde hair and blue eyes, [[Andromeda Tonks|Andromeda Tonks née Black]] having light brown eyes and brown hair and [[Sirius Black|Sirius Black III]], grey eyes. They possess a certain aristocratic elegance resembling upon their personality as they consider themselves as "practically royal". Even after incarceration in [[Azkaban]] and [[Azkaban escapes|escape]], [[Bellatrix Lestrange|Bellatrix Lestrange née Black]] and Sirius were both described to have retained vestiges of great looks, despite losing much of it in the depression of the great prison.
 
  +
  +
===Physical appearances===
  +
 
The Blacks are commonly described as having "great good looks". They are considered to be beautiful people, being tall, thin and having attractive features. The traditional look for most of the Black family is black hair and dark eyes with some exceptions, such as [[Narcissa Malfoy|Narcissa Malfoy née Black]] who has blonde hair and blue eyes, [[Andromeda Tonks|Andromeda Tonks née Black]] having light brown eyes and brown hair and [[Sirius Black|Sirius Black III]], with grey eyes. They possess a certain aristocratic elegance that reflects upon their personality, as they consider themselves "practically royal". Even after incarceration in [[Azkaban]] and [[Azkaban escapes|escape]], [[Bellatrix Lestrange|Bellatrix Lestrange née Black]] and Sirius were both described to have retained vestiges of these "great good looks", despite losing much of it in the depression of the prison.
   
 
===Wealth===
 
===Wealth===
The Black family, as many other [[pure-blood]] wizarding families like the [[Malfoy family|Malfoys]] and the [[Potter family]],is considered to be a very wealthy family. This may be one of the reasons why the members of this family acted somewhat arrogantly.
+
The Black family, as with many other [[pure-blood]] wizarding families like the [[Malfoy family|Malfoys]] and the [[Potter family]], is considered to be very wealthy. This may be one of the reasons why the members of this family acted somewhat arrogantly.
   
In 1993, [[Sirius Black III]] used money from [[Vault 711]] to pay for [[Harry Potter|Harry Potter's]] [[Firebolt]]. This vault may have been property of the Blacks, since Sirius may have inherited this vault after [[Walburga Black|his mother's]] death. However, he may have acquired it after being disowned, using the money given to him by his [[Alphard Black|Uncle Alphard]].
+
In 1993, [[Sirius Black|Sirius Black III]] used money from [[Vault 711]] to pay for [[Harry Potter|Harry Potter's]] [[Firebolt]]. This vault may have been property of the Blacks, since Sirius may have inherited this vault after [[Walburga Black|his mother's]] death. However, he may have acquired it after being disowned, using the money given to him by his [[Alphard Black|Uncle Alphard]].
   
After Sirius died on 1996, his godson [[Harry Potter]] inherited all of Sirius Black's properties, including his [[12 Grimmauld Place|house]], his [[Kreacher|house-elf]] and his [[Vault 711|vault]], which still contained "a reasonable amount of gold". Given its depth, it is likely a high-security vault.
+
After Sirius died on 1996, his godson Harry Potter inherited all of Sirius Black's properties, including his [[12 Grimmauld Place|house]], his [[Kreacher|house-elf]] and his [[Vault 711|vault]], which still contained "a reasonable amount of gold". Given its depth, it is likely a high-security vault.
   
 
==Etymology==
 
==Etymology==
[[Wikipedia:Black|Black]] can be considered a colour, and is the result of the absence of, or complete absorption of, light. In Western culture, the colour black has typically been associated with evil, darkness, and witchcraft, but also with prestige and sophistication — appropriate for the House of Black. Black has also been associated with life and prosperity by other cultures. In ancient China, black was the symbol of the element of water, which also corresponds to [[Slytherin]], the [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] house of almost all members of the Black family. In English heraldry, black represents darkness and ignorance; a possible allusion to the prejudice common to members of the House of Black.
+
{{wplink|Black}} can be considered a colour, and is the result of the absence of, or complete absorption of, light. In Western culture, the colour black has typically been associated with evil, darkness, and witchcraft, but also with prestige and sophistication — appropriate for the House of Black. Black has also been associated with life and prosperity by other cultures. In ancient China, black was the symbol of the element of water, which also corresponds to [[Slytherin]], the [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] house of almost all members of the Black family. In English heraldry, black represents darkness and ignorance; a possible allusion to the prejudice common to members of the House of Black.
   
 
However, the English word ''black'' is derived from either the Old English ''blœc'', meaning "black", or ''blac'', meaning "pale".<ref>[http://surnames.behindthename.com/php/search.php?terms=black&type=n&operator=or Behind the Name: Black]</ref> [[Wikipedia:Pallor|Pallor]] is associated with sickness and the colour [[Wikipedia:White|white]], which is usually held to symbolize purity in Western and Indian culture, and death in East Asian cultures. This mirrors the typical colouring of members of the House of Black — dark hair and pale skin<ref>Sirius Black, Regulus Black, and Bellatrix Lestrange née Black are all noted to have black hair and pale skin, while Andromeda Tonks née Black has light brown hair and pale skin.</ref>.
 
However, the English word ''black'' is derived from either the Old English ''blœc'', meaning "black", or ''blac'', meaning "pale".<ref>[http://surnames.behindthename.com/php/search.php?terms=black&type=n&operator=or Behind the Name: Black]</ref> [[Wikipedia:Pallor|Pallor]] is associated with sickness and the colour [[Wikipedia:White|white]], which is usually held to symbolize purity in Western and Indian culture, and death in East Asian cultures. This mirrors the typical colouring of members of the House of Black — dark hair and pale skin<ref>Sirius Black, Regulus Black, and Bellatrix Lestrange née Black are all noted to have black hair and pale skin, while Andromeda Tonks née Black has light brown hair and pale skin.</ref>.
[[File:Blackfamilytreeootp1.jpg|thumb|300 px|Tapestry of the Black family tree. At the trunk is [[Phineas Nigellus Black]], and at the left side are decipted even more ancient ancestors of the family.]]
+
[[File:Blackfamilytreeootp1.jpg|thumb|300px|Tapestry of the Black family tree. At the trunk is [[Phineas Nigellus Black]], and at the left side are depicted even more ancient ancestors of the family.]]
  +
[[File:Orion and Walburga Black.jpg|thumb|right|199 px|Orion and Walburga Black on the family tree]]
 
  +
===Etymology of given names===
 
Most Black family members are named after stars or constellations. For example, the star {{wplink|Sirius}} is in the constellation Canis Major (the Dog). What's more, [[Sirius Black]], an [[Animagus]], could morph at will into a black dog named Padfoot. Another example is {{wplink|Bellatrix}}, the third brightest star in the constellation {{wplink|Orion}}, which is also the name of Sirius's father and Bellatrix's uncle. {{wplink|Cygnus}}, [[Wikipedia:Andromeda (constellation)|Andromeda]], and [[Wikipedia:Cassiopeia (constellation)|Cassiopeia]] are also constellations, and {{wplink|Regulus}}, {{wplink|Alphard}} and {{wplink|Arcturus}} are stars as well.
  +
 
Some members of the extended family have also chosen to follow this naming pattern. For example, [[Narcissa Malfoy|Narcissa Malfoy née Black]] named her son [[Draco Malfoy|Draco]], which is the name of a [[Wikipedia:Draco (constellation)|constellation]]. In turn, he named his son [[Scorpius Malfoy|Scorpius]], which is one of the constellations of the zodiac, known as ''[[Wikipedia:Scorpius|Scorpio]]'' in Western astrology. Narcissa herself, however, was not named in keeping with this convention. She was instead named for a plant, the flower Narcissus. [[Lycoris Black]] is also named for a plant.
  +
 
However if a member of the family is disowned and blasted off the Black family tree then the name is never used again in the following generations.
  +
 
{|class="wikitable" border="1"
  +
!Family Name
 
!Astronomical Origin
  +
!Status of Name
 
|-
 
|Alphard Black
 
|Alphard is the brightest star in the constellation Hydra.
  +
|Disused since Alphard was disowned for supporting his wayward nephew.
 
|-
 
|Andromeda Tonks née Black
 
|Andromeda is a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere and the name of a galaxy.
  +
|Disused since Andromeda married a Muggle-born.
 
|-
 
|Arcturus Black I, II, III
 
|Arcturus is the brightest star in the constellation Boötes the Herdsman.
  +
|
 
|-
 
|Bellatrix Lestrange née Black
 
|Bellatrix is a star in the constellation Orion.
  +
|
 
|-
 
|Cassiopeia Black
 
|Cassiopeia is a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere.
  +
|
 
|-
 
|Cygnus Black I, II, III
 
|Cygnus is a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere, also known as the Northern Cross.
  +
|
 
|-
 
|Draco Malfoy
 
|Draco is a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere.
  +
|
 
|-
 
|Orion Black
 
|Orion is a well-known constellation in the Northern Hemisphere.
  +
|
 
|-
 
|Phoebe Black
 
|Phoebe is perhaps associated with another name of the sun god Apollo, Phoebus.
  +
|
 
|-
 
|Pollux Black
 
|Pollux is a star in the constellation Gemini.
  +
|
 
|-
 
|Regulus Black I, II
 
|Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo.
  +
|
 
|-
 
|Scorpius Malfoy
 
|Scorpius is a constellation in the Southern Hemisphere.
  +
|
 
|-
 
|Sirius Black I, II, III
 
|Sirius is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major.
  +
|Disused since Sirius III was a blood-traitor.
 
|}
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
*A hand drawn copy of the most recent section of the family tree was donated to a charity auction for Book Aid by [[J. K. Rowling]], in February 2006. The drawing was purchased on behalf of [[Daniel Radcliffe]] for £30,000.
 
*A hand drawn copy of the most recent section of the family tree was donated to a charity auction for Book Aid by [[J. K. Rowling]], in February 2006. The drawing was purchased on behalf of [[Daniel Radcliffe]] for £30,000.
*According to [[Sirius Black]], if all of the pure-blood families stick with the pure-blood marriages, almost all of them will be relatives because there are only a few pure-blood families. Therefore Sirius relates to the [[Crabbe family]], the [[Potter family]], the [[Weasley family]], the [[Malfoy family|Malfoy family]], the [[Crouch family]], the [[Longbottom family]], the [[Lestrange family]], the [[Lupin family]], the [[House of Gaunt|Gaunt family]], the [[Riddle family]], the [[Peverell family]],the [[Bulstrode family]] and the [[Slytherin family]].
+
*According to [[Sirius Black]], if all of the pure-blood families stick with only pure-blood marriages, almost all of them will be relatives because there are only a few pure-blood families. Therefore Sirius relates to the [[Crabbe family]], the [[Potter family]], the [[Weasley family]], the [[Malfoy family|Malfoy family]], the [[Crouch family]], the [[Longbottom family]], the [[Lestrange family]], the [[Lupin family]], the [[House of Gaunt|Gaunt family]], the [[Riddle family]], the [[Peverell family]],the [[Bulstrode family]] and the [[Slytherin family]].
*Walburga and Orion Black were second cousins though they married.
+
*Walburga and Orion Black were second cousins, though they married, a common occurrence historically for aristocratic, wealthy families. 
*Another version of the family tree tapestry appeared in the ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)]]''. When film makers told Rowling that they needed to "visualise Sirius Black's family tree," she faxed them the complete Black family tree, going back eight generations. On that tree the name Phineas is misspelt Phineus.<ref>"[http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/5/24/empire-magazine-feature-on-ootp 'Empire' Magazine Feature on OotP]" from The Leaky Cauldron</ref>
+
*Another version of the family tree tapestry appeared in the ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)]]''. When film makers told Rowling that they needed to "visualise Sirius Black's family tree", she faxed them the complete Black family tree, going back eight generations. On that tree the name Phineas is misspelt Phineus.<ref>[http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/5/24/empire-magazine-feature-on-ootp '''Empire' Magazine Feature on OotP''] from The Leaky Cauldron</ref>
*Many members of the House of Black have died at considerably younger ages than is the normal for wizards and witches. Of those whose dates of birth and death are shown on the family tree, none lived to be older than one hundred, and most died between the ages of fifty and eighty, though this is possibly the result of major inbreeding (see above) as well as mental instability (As seen <ref name="BFT" />).
+
*Many members of the House of Black have died at considerably younger ages than is normal for wizards and witches, and even muggles for that matter. Of those whose dates of birth and death are shown on the family tree, none lived to be older than one hundred, and most died between the ages of fifty and eighty, with an average life expectancy of only 59.5 years (based on the family tree), though this is possibly the result of major inbreeding (see above) as well as mental instability and war (As seen<ref name="BFT" />).
 
*Many members of the family are said to have great good looks, with a touch of aristocratic arrogance to it.
 
*Many members of the family are said to have great good looks, with a touch of aristocratic arrogance to it.
 
*After Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the only pure-blood members who weren't dead or imprisoned are: [[Lucius Malfoy]], [[Narcissa Malfoy]], [[Draco Malfoy]], [[Scorpius Malfoy]], [[Andromeda Tonks]], [[Arthur Weasley]], [[Molly Weasley]], [[Bill Weasley|Bill]], [[Charles Weasley|Charlie]], [[Percy Weasley|Percy]], [[George Weasley|George]], [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]] and [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny]].
 
*After Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the only pure-blood members who weren't dead or imprisoned are: [[Lucius Malfoy]], [[Narcissa Malfoy]], [[Draco Malfoy]], [[Scorpius Malfoy]], [[Andromeda Tonks]], [[Arthur Weasley]], [[Molly Weasley]], [[Bill Weasley|Bill]], [[Charles Weasley|Charlie]], [[Percy Weasley|Percy]], [[George Weasley|George]], [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]] and [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny]].
Line 390: Line 397:
 
*Out of 36 members, most are descendants of Phineas Nigellus and Ursula Flint (25), 7 were of known generations preceding him and 3 were his siblings. The remaining 1 was Phineas himself.
 
*Out of 36 members, most are descendants of Phineas Nigellus and Ursula Flint (25), 7 were of known generations preceding him and 3 were his siblings. The remaining 1 was Phineas himself.
 
*[[Isla Black|There]] [[Phineas Black|is]] [[Marius Black|at]] [[Cedrella Weasley|least]] [[Alphard Black|one]] [[Sirius Black|disowned]] [[Andromeda Tonks|Black]] in each generation (except the generation consisting of Cygnus Black I, Arcturus Black I and Misapinoa Black.)
 
*[[Isla Black|There]] [[Phineas Black|is]] [[Marius Black|at]] [[Cedrella Weasley|least]] [[Alphard Black|one]] [[Sirius Black|disowned]] [[Andromeda Tonks|Black]] in each generation (except the generation consisting of Cygnus Black I, Arcturus Black I and Misapinoa Black.)
*All of the males that have been blasted off the family tree were not disowned due to marriage (except for possibly [[Eduardus Limette Black]], who was blasted off for an unknown reason). [[Phineas Black (II)|Phineas]] was disowned for supporting Muggle rights, [[Marius Black|Marius]] was disowned for being a Squib, [[Alphard Black|Alphard]] for leaving gold to his disowned nephew, and [[Sirius Black|Sirius]] for running away from his home and not believing in the importance of [[Blood status|blood-purity]]. The three females to have been disowned after marriage are [[Andromeda Black|Andromeda]], [[Cedrella Weasley|Cedrella]] and [[Isla Black]] (all for marriage to a [[Ted Tonks|Muggle-born]], a [[Septimus Weasley|blood traitor]], and a [[Bob Hitchens|Muggle]], respectively) .
+
*All of the males that have been blasted off the family tree were not disowned due to marriage (except for possibly [[Eduardus Limette Black]], who was blasted off for an unknown reason). [[Phineas Black (II)|Phineas]] was disowned for supporting Muggle rights, [[Marius Black|Marius]] was disowned for being a Squib, [[Alphard Black|Alphard]] for leaving gold to his disowned nephew, and [[Sirius Black|Sirius]] for running away from his home and not believing in the importance of [[Blood status|blood-purity]]. The three females to have been disowned after marriage are [[Andromeda Black|Andromeda]], [[Cedrella Weasley|Cedrella]] and [[Isla Black]] (all for marriage to a [[Edward Tonks|Muggle-born]], a [[Septimus Weasley|blood traitor]], and a [[Bob Hitchens|Muggle]], respectively) .
 
*It is possible [[James Potter I|James Potter]] was not the son of [[Dorea Black]], as he married [[Muggle-born]] [[Lily Evans]] and would possibly have been disowned for that. At the same time, Walburga Black was growing old at the time, and it is possible she overlooked the marriage (as it was around the same time her son, Regulus Black, both disappeared and died).
 
*It is possible [[James Potter I|James Potter]] was not the son of [[Dorea Black]], as he married [[Muggle-born]] [[Lily Evans]] and would possibly have been disowned for that. At the same time, Walburga Black was growing old at the time, and it is possible she overlooked the marriage (as it was around the same time her son, Regulus Black, both disappeared and died).
*It is possible that some of the disowned male members of the family have male-line descendants that are recognised by the greater Black family due to their ancestors' actions. Hence, the Black family may still be extant through the existence of unrecognised branches.
+
*It is possible that some of the disowned male members of the family have male-line descendants that are not recognised by the greater Black family due to their ancestors' actions. Hence, the Black family may still be extant through the existence of unrecognised branches.
  +
*Though many members of the Black family were supporters of either Voldemort directly or his principles of blood purity, the family did not become related to him (as far as we know; if James Potter was in fact the son of Dorea Black and Charlus Potter, they would have been linked before) until the marriage of Ginny Weasley, a member of the Weasley family and the House of Black, and Harry Potter, who is related to Voldemort through the Peverell brothers, distant ancestors of the both of them.
   
 
==Notes and references==
 
==Notes and references==
 
{{Imagecat|Images of the Black family tree}}
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
{{Imagecat|Images of the Black family tree|align=left}}
 
   
 
[[de:Familie Black]]
 
[[de:Familie Black]]
Line 408: Line 416:
 
[[Category:Wizard families]]
 
[[Category:Wizard families]]
 
[[Category:Pure-blood supremacists]]
 
[[Category:Pure-blood supremacists]]
[[Category:Pure-blood supremacism]]
 

Revision as of 07:27, 30 June 2014

"Toujours pur."
— The family motto, translating to "Always Pure"[src]

The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black was one of the largest, oldest and wealthiest pure-blooded wizarding families in Britain, and one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. Many wizarding families in Britain are distantly related to the House of Black. Like the Malfoy and Lestrange families, the House of Black is synonymous with elevated status and wealth. The Black family tree is displayed in the drawing room of the family home at 12 Grimmauld Place in London, England on an intricate tapestry, as an ornate mural. It starts in the Middle Ages and shows the dominant line of the family up to the present day.[3]

By the late twentieth century, the House of Black had become extinct in the male line with the deaths of Sirius and Regulus Black, neither of whom had children. The female line continued through the Malfoy family and Teddy Lupin, though the latter descends from a Black who was disowned. It has not been confirmed that the Potter family is also distantly related to the Black family through Dorea Black; they are, however, related through Ginny Weasley, who married Harry Potter and had three children.

History

"...my parents, with their pure-blood mania, convinced that to be a Black made you practically royal..."
Sirius Black to Harry Potter on his family's values[src]
Siriusveil

Sirius Black being pushed into the Veil to his death by a curse of his cousin's, ending the male line of the House of Black.

The Black family traces its origin back to the Middle Ages. They claim to have entirely magical ancestry, but as Sirius Black informed his godson Harry Potter, no true pure-blood families existed by the twentieth century. The pure-blood families like the Blacks simply removed Muggles and Squibs from their family trees. The Blacks place a great importance on blood purity, considering themselves akin to royalty in the wizarding world and disdaining Muggles, Squibs, Blood traitors and Muggle-borns. The family motto, which can be found on the family crest, is Toujours Pur, which means "Always Pure" in French. Many members took this phrase very seriously.[4]

Because of their views, a large number of the Black family members practise the Dark Arts and supported Lord Voldemort during the First and Second Wizarding Wars. A few Blacks even became Death Eaters, while many others never took the Dark Mark but believed in the "purification" of the wizarding world nevertheless.[4] A few members of the family, however, disagreed with the traditional views of their family; Sirius Black, for example, joined the Order of the Phoenix, as did Nymphadora Tonks, a distant member of the Black family. Both were murdered by Bellatrix Lestrange née Black, Sirius's cousin and Tonks's aunt, in battle. Supportive of Voldemort at first, the family loyalists who did not become Death Eaters got cold feet when they saw the levels he would go to achieve his goals. Their hatred towards muggles is such that some members who are not outright Death Eaters would go to lengths to persecute them, such as Araminta Meliflua trying to pass a Ministry Bill to make Muggle-hunting legal.

With Sirius's death, the male line of the Black family ended; the female line continues through the descendants of his cousins Andromeda Tonks and Narcissa Malfoy, his second cousin, once removed, Arthur Weasley, the Burke family, the Crouches, the Longbottoms and the Potter family[5].

Harry is shocked to find Sirius is related to the Malfoys, but Sirius explains all pure blood families are interlinked somehow. Sirius is, in fact, related to Molly and Arthur Weasley.

Family tree

"En stirps nobilis et gens antiquissima Black."
Latin inscription on the Black family tree tapestry; "Behold the offspring of noble birth and the nation of the most ancient of Black".[src]
Black Family Tree

Legend: Names in grey boxes were removed from the tree by Walburga Black. The published tree does not contain descendants of side branches of the family.

"Blasted off"

Sirius Disowned

Sirius' burn mark on the Black family tree.

"Blood traitor, abomination, shame of my flesh! …Filth! Scum! By-products of dirt and vileness! How dare you befoul the house of my fathers!"
The portrait of Walburga Black screaming at her "traitor" son[src]

The original tree described from Grimmauld Place was subject to some magical interference. According to Sirius Black, his mother Walburga blasted names of "blood traitors" off the tapestry without hesitation.[4] The Black family motto of Toujours Pur ("always pure") was followed assiduously by family members; any who disagreed with the notion of blood purity or married Muggles or people of different blood statuses were disowned and blasted off the family tree, as were any Squibs. Thus, family members that remain on the tapestry can be assumed to have married fellow ("respectable") pure-bloods. Some even married their own cousins; Walburga and Orion Black, for instance, were second cousins. Generations of this practice resulted in inbreeding, which in turn has caused problems such as low fertility and mental instability.

The known disowned members are Eduardus Limette Black (for an unknown reason); Isla Black, for marrying Muggle or Muggle-born Bob HitchensPhineas Black, for supporting Muggle rights; Marius Black, for being a Squib; Cedrella Black, for marrying blood traitor Septimus WeasleyAlphard Black, for giving gold to his runaway nephew Sirius; Sirius Black III, for running away from home; and Andromeda Black, for marrying Muggle-born Ted Tonks.

Disowned Black Reason
Eduardus Limette Black Unknown
Isla Black Marriage to Muggle/Muggle-born Bob Hitchens
Phineas Black Muggle rights supporter
Marius Black Squib
Cedrella Black Marriage to Blood traitor Septimus Weasley
Andromeda Black Marriage to Muggle-born Ted Tonks
Sirius Black Blood traitor
Alphard Black Supported his disowned nephew

Blood relatives

BellatrixLestrangeRoomOfRequirementSmirk

Bellatrix Lestrange (née Black).

SiriusBlack

Sirius Black.

Relatives by marriage

LuciusMalfoy1

Lucius Malfoy.

Neville-Longbottom-neville-longbottom-22817808-600-449

Neville Longbottom

Distant relatives

Weasleys

Four of the Weasley children.

Draco Malfoy

Draco Malfoy.

Nymphadora Tonks

Nymphadora Lupin.

Barty Crouch Jr

Barty Crouch Jr..

Distant Relative Relation to the House of Black
Arthur Weasley Son of Cedrella Weasley née Black[6].
Molly Weasley née Prewett Wife of Arthur Weasley and niece of Lucretia Prewett née Black[7].
Gideon Prewett Nephew of Lucretia Prewett née Black[7].
Fabian Prewett Nephew of Lucretia Prewett née Black[7].
Bill Weasley Paternal grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Grand-nephew of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Charlie Weasley Paternal grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Grand-nephew of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Percy Weasley Paternal grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Grand-nephew of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Fred Weasley Paternal grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Grand-nephew of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
George Weasley Paternal grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Grand-nephew of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Ron Weasley Paternal grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Grand-nephew of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Ginny Weasley Paternal grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Grand-niece of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Victoire Weasley Paternal great-grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Great-grand-niece of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Dominique Weasley Paternal great-grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Great-grand-niece of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Louis Weasley Paternal great-grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Great-grand-nephew of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Molly Weasley II Paternal great-grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Great-grand-niece of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Lucy Weasley Paternal great-grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Great-grand-niece of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Fred Weasley II Paternal great-grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Great-grand-nephew of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Roxanne Weasley Paternal great-grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Great-grand-niece of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Rose Weasley Paternal great-grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Great-grand-niece of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Hugo Weasley Paternal great-grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black. Great-grand-nephew of Lucretia Prewett née Black.
Nymphadora Tonks Daughter of Andromeda Tonks née Black.
Remus Lupin Husband of Nymphadora Tonks.
Teddy Lupin Maternal grandmother is Andromeda Tonks née Black.
Draco Malfoy Son of Narcissa Malfoy née Black.
Scorpius Malfoy Paternal grandmother is Narcissa Malfoy née Black.
Ignotus Peverell Descendant is Charlus Potter.
James Potter I Possible relation of Dorea Potter née Black. Definite relation through Charlus Potter.
Harry Potter Possible relation of Dorea Potter née Black and husband of Ginny Weasley.
James Potter II Maternal great-grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black; possible relative of Dorea Potter née Black.
Albus Potter Maternal great-grandmother is Cedrella Weasley née Black; possible relative of Dorea Potter née Black.
Lily Potter Maternal great-grandmother-in-law is Cedrella Weasley née Black; possible relative of Dorea Potter née Black.
Araminta Meliflua First cousin of Walburga Black, probably niece of Pollux Black and Irma Crabbe
Hermione Granger Wife of Ron Weasley
Fleur Delacour Wife of Bill Weasley
Audrey Weasley Wife of Percy Weasley
Angelina Johnson Wife of George Weasley
Frank Longbottom Relation of Callidora Longbottom née Black.
Alice Longbottom Wife of Frank Longbottom.
Neville Longbottom Relation of Callidora Longbottom née Black.
Barty Crouch Sr. Mother is most likely Charis Crouch née Black.
Barty Crouch Jr. Paternal grandmother is most likely Charis Crouch née Black.
Black Family Tree

Part of the family tree tapestry.

Thus, the Blacks are related to the Max, Blishwick, Flint, Hitchens, Gamp, Bulstrode, Burke, Yaxley, Macmillan, Crabbe, Potter, Peverell, Gaunt, Longbottom, Fortescue, Weasley, Delacour, Johnson, Granger, Crouch, Prewett, Rosier, Lestrange, Meliflua, Tonks, Malfoy, and Lupin families (albeit most of them distantly) but are related to all wizarding families as all families were once pure-blood and all pure-blood families are related. Also, muggle-born people are descendants of Squibs who are born into either a pure-blood family or a half-blood family (which is part pure-blood). Therefore, all wizarding families (and some Muggle ones) are related to the House of Black.

Black family tree

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Memebers of the House of Black

Physical appearances

The Blacks are commonly described as having "great good looks". They are considered to be beautiful people, being tall, thin and having attractive features. The traditional look for most of the Black family is black hair and dark eyes with some exceptions, such as Narcissa Malfoy née Black who has blonde hair and blue eyes, Andromeda Tonks née Black having light brown eyes and brown hair and Sirius Black III, with grey eyes. They possess a certain aristocratic elegance that reflects upon their personality, as they consider themselves "practically royal". Even after incarceration in Azkaban and escape, Bellatrix Lestrange née Black and Sirius were both described to have retained vestiges of these "great good looks", despite losing much of it in the depression of the prison.

Wealth

The Black family, as with many other pure-blood wizarding families like the Malfoys and the Potter family, is considered to be very wealthy. This may be one of the reasons why the members of this family acted somewhat arrogantly.

In 1993, Sirius Black III used money from Vault 711 to pay for Harry Potter's Firebolt. This vault may have been property of the Blacks, since Sirius may have inherited this vault after his mother's death. However, he may have acquired it after being disowned, using the money given to him by his Uncle Alphard.

After Sirius died on 1996, his godson Harry Potter inherited all of Sirius Black's properties, including his house, his house-elf and his vault, which still contained "a reasonable amount of gold". Given its depth, it is likely a high-security vault.

Etymology

Black can be considered a colour, and is the result of the absence of, or complete absorption of, light. In Western culture, the colour black has typically been associated with evil, darkness, and witchcraft, but also with prestige and sophistication — appropriate for the House of Black. Black has also been associated with life and prosperity by other cultures. In ancient China, black was the symbol of the element of water, which also corresponds to Slytherin, the Hogwarts house of almost all members of the Black family. In English heraldry, black represents darkness and ignorance; a possible allusion to the prejudice common to members of the House of Black.

However, the English word black is derived from either the Old English blœc, meaning "black", or blac, meaning "pale".[8] Pallor is associated with sickness and the colour white, which is usually held to symbolize purity in Western and Indian culture, and death in East Asian cultures. This mirrors the typical colouring of members of the House of Black — dark hair and pale skin[9].

Blackfamilytreeootp1

Tapestry of the Black family tree. At the trunk is Phineas Nigellus Black, and at the left side are depicted even more ancient ancestors of the family.

Etymology of given names

Most Black family members are named after stars or constellations. For example, the star Sirius is in the constellation Canis Major (the Dog). What's more, Sirius Black, an Animagus, could morph at will into a black dog named Padfoot. Another example is Bellatrix, the third brightest star in the constellation Orion, which is also the name of Sirius's father and Bellatrix's uncle. Cygnus, Andromeda, and Cassiopeia are also constellations, and Regulus, Alphard and Arcturus are stars as well.

Some members of the extended family have also chosen to follow this naming pattern. For example, Narcissa Malfoy née Black named her son Draco, which is the name of a constellation. In turn, he named his son Scorpius, which is one of the constellations of the zodiac, known as Scorpio in Western astrology. Narcissa herself, however, was not named in keeping with this convention. She was instead named for a plant, the flower Narcissus. Lycoris Black is also named for a plant.

However if a member of the family is disowned and blasted off the Black family tree then the name is never used again in the following generations.

Family Name Astronomical Origin Status of Name
Alphard Black Alphard is the brightest star in the constellation Hydra. Disused since Alphard was disowned for supporting his wayward nephew.
Andromeda Tonks née Black Andromeda is a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere and the name of a galaxy. Disused since Andromeda married a Muggle-born.
Arcturus Black I, II, III Arcturus is the brightest star in the constellation Boötes the Herdsman.
Bellatrix Lestrange née Black Bellatrix is a star in the constellation Orion.
Cassiopeia Black Cassiopeia is a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere.
Cygnus Black I, II, III Cygnus is a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere, also known as the Northern Cross.
Draco Malfoy Draco is a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere.
Orion Black Orion is a well-known constellation in the Northern Hemisphere.
Phoebe Black Phoebe is perhaps associated with another name of the sun god Apollo, Phoebus.
Pollux Black Pollux is a star in the constellation Gemini.
Regulus Black I, II Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo.
Scorpius Malfoy Scorpius is a constellation in the Southern Hemisphere.
Sirius Black I, II, III Sirius is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major. Disused since Sirius III was a blood-traitor.

Behind the scenes

  • A hand drawn copy of the most recent section of the family tree was donated to a charity auction for Book Aid by J. K. Rowling, in February 2006. The drawing was purchased on behalf of Daniel Radcliffe for £30,000.
  • According to Sirius Black, if all of the pure-blood families stick with only pure-blood marriages, almost all of them will be relatives because there are only a few pure-blood families. Therefore Sirius relates to the Crabbe family, the Potter family, the Weasley family, the Malfoy family, the Crouch family, the Longbottom family, the Lestrange family, the Lupin family, the Gaunt family, the Riddle family, the Peverell family,the Bulstrode family and the Slytherin family.
  • Walburga and Orion Black were second cousins, though they married, a common occurrence historically for aristocratic, wealthy families. 
  • Another version of the family tree tapestry appeared in the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film). When film makers told Rowling that they needed to "visualise Sirius Black's family tree", she faxed them the complete Black family tree, going back eight generations. On that tree the name Phineas is misspelt Phineus.[10]
  • Many members of the House of Black have died at considerably younger ages than is normal for wizards and witches, and even muggles for that matter. Of those whose dates of birth and death are shown on the family tree, none lived to be older than one hundred, and most died between the ages of fifty and eighty, with an average life expectancy of only 59.5 years (based on the family tree), though this is possibly the result of major inbreeding (see above) as well as mental instability and war (As seen[3]).
  • Many members of the family are said to have great good looks, with a touch of aristocratic arrogance to it.
  • After Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the only pure-blood members who weren't dead or imprisoned are: Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, Scorpius Malfoy, Andromeda Tonks, Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Percy, George, Ron and Ginny.
  • The female lines continue through Narcissa (through her descendants with Lucius Malfoy), Andromeda (with Ted Tonks), Callidora (with Harfang Longbottom), Cedrella (with Septimus Weasley) and possibly Isla (with Bob Hitchens).
  • It is also possible that the female Black line continues in Harry Potter, as he is possibly related to Charlus Potter and Dorea Black.
  • Out of 36 members, most are descendants of Phineas Nigellus and Ursula Flint (25), 7 were of known generations preceding him and 3 were his siblings. The remaining 1 was Phineas himself.
  • There is at least one disowned Black in each generation (except the generation consisting of Cygnus Black I, Arcturus Black I and Misapinoa Black.)
  • All of the males that have been blasted off the family tree were not disowned due to marriage (except for possibly Eduardus Limette Black, who was blasted off for an unknown reason). Phineas was disowned for supporting Muggle rights, Marius was disowned for being a Squib, Alphard for leaving gold to his disowned nephew, and Sirius for running away from his home and not believing in the importance of blood-purity. The three females to have been disowned after marriage are Andromeda, Cedrella and Isla Black (all for marriage to a Muggle-born, a blood traitor, and a Muggle, respectively) .
  • It is possible James Potter was not the son of Dorea Black, as he married Muggle-born Lily Evans and would possibly have been disowned for that. At the same time, Walburga Black was growing old at the time, and it is possible she overlooked the marriage (as it was around the same time her son, Regulus Black, both disappeared and died).
  • It is possible that some of the disowned male members of the family have male-line descendants that are not recognised by the greater Black family due to their ancestors' actions. Hence, the Black family may still be extant through the existence of unrecognised branches.
  • Though many members of the Black family were supporters of either Voldemort directly or his principles of blood purity, the family did not become related to him (as far as we know; if James Potter was in fact the son of Dorea Black and Charlus Potter, they would have been linked before) until the marriage of Ginny Weasley, a member of the Weasley family and the House of Black, and Harry Potter, who is related to Voldemort through the Peverell brothers, distant ancestors of the both of them.

Notes and references

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  1. Squibs and members who married non-purebloods were disowned, and they and their descendants were not considered part of the family
  2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Chapter 37 (The Lost Prophecy): "Am I to understand," said Phineas Nigellus slowly from Harry's left, "that my great-great-grandson — the last of the Blacks — is dead?"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Black Family Tree
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
  6. Although it has never been confirmed that Septimus and Cedrella are Arthur's parents, this can be inferred based on Sirius Black's statement in Ch. 6 of Order of the Phoenix that Arthur was "something like [his] second cousin once removed." The Black family tree establishes Cedrella as a first cousin once removed of both Orion and Walburga Black, Sirius's parents. Thus, any children she had would be their second cousins, and second cousins once removed of their sons Sirius and Regulus. Also, almost all of Sirius's relatives can be seen on the Black family tree because both his parents were born into the House of Black, making it unlikely that he could be related to Arthur in a way not shown. See also this talk page and an HPL essay for more information.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Sirius Black stated in Ch. 6 of Order of the Phoenix that Molly Weasley was his "cousin by marriage". This means that Ignatius Prewett, Lucretia's husband, could not have been Molly, Fabian, and Gideon's father, as this would have made them first cousins by blood of Sirius. Ignatius was Sirius's uncle by marriage, and if Molly was his niece, this could explain Sirius's comment. See this talk page for more information.
  8. Behind the Name: Black
  9. Sirius Black, Regulus Black, and Bellatrix Lestrange née Black are all noted to have black hair and pale skin, while Andromeda Tonks née Black has light brown hair and pale skin.
  10. 'Empire' Magazine Feature on OotP from The Leaky Cauldron