The Malfoy family is one of the oldest, wealthiest, and most influential pure-blood wizarding families in Great Britain. Renowned for their staunch belief in pure-blood supremacy, they hold a disdain for Muggles, Muggle-borns, half-bloods, and wizarding families considered “blood traitors,” such as the Weasley family. For centuries, they have maintained their wealth and power through cunning and social maneuvering. During the First Wizarding War and Second Wizarding War, the family, led by its patriarch Lucius Malfoy, were prominent supporters of Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Their primary members featured in the series are Lucius Malfoy, his wife Narcissa Malfoy (née Black), and their son, Draco Malfoy, who served as a key rival to Harry Potter at Hogwarts.
The Malfoy lineage in Great Britain began with Armand Malfoy, who arrived with William the Conqueror's army in the 11th century and was granted a prime piece of land in Wiltshire by the king for services rendered (Pottermore). For centuries, the family cultivated relationships with wealthy and powerful Muggles, amassing more land and wealth, while publicly espousing anti-Muggle sentiments within the wizarding community. With the imposition of the International Statute of Secrecy, the Malfoys ceased their dealings with Muggles and became leading proponents of the pure-blood doctrine, successfully integrating themselves into the power structure of the newly formed Ministry of Magic (Pottermore). In the 20th century, Abraxas Malfoy (Draco's grandfather) was a widely respected, albeit feared, figure. Following his death from Dragon Pox, his son Lucius Malfoy became the family patriarch. Lucius served Lord Voldemort as a Death Eater during the First Wizarding War. After Voldemort's first downfall, Lucius claimed he had been acting under the Imperius Curse, thus avoiding a sentence in Azkaban and preserving his family's reputation and influence. During the Second Wizarding War, the Malfoys were central to Lord Voldemort's plans. Lucius Malfoy led the Death Eaters in the battle at the Department of Mysteries but failed in his mission and was subsequently imprisoned. As punishment for Lucius's failure, Voldemort tasked a sixteen-year-old Draco Malfoy with the seemingly impossible mission of assassinating Albus Dumbledore. During this time, Malfoy Manor was commandeered by Voldemort to serve as a Death Eater headquarters, and the family's status within the Dark Lord's inner circle plummeted. Their allegiance ultimately shifted from ideology to self-preservation. At the Battle of Hogwarts, Narcissa Malfoy lied directly to Lord Voldemort about Harry Potter's death to ensure she could reach her son, an act of deception that was critical to Voldemort's final defeat. Because of this, the family avoided imprisonment after the war. In the subsequent generation, Draco Malfoy married Astoria Greengrass, and they had a son, Scorpius Malfoy. They chose not to raise him with the belief that Muggles were inferior, breaking with centuries of family tradition (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).
The Malfoys possess enormous “old money” wealth, which affords them considerable influence within the wizarding world. Lucius Malfoy expertly wielded this influence, making generous donations to the Ministry of Magic and St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, and using bribery and threats to achieve his goals, such as influencing the Hogwarts Board of Governors.
The name “Malfoy” is likely derived from the Old French phrase “mal foi” or “mal foy”. This translates to “bad faith” or “unfaithfulness.” This is highly appropriate for the family, reflecting their deceitful nature, their treachery towards others, and Lucius's false claim of being under the Imperius Curse. It also foreshadows their ultimate “bad faith” towards Lord Voldemort, whom they abandon when their family's safety is at stake.