Gerbold Ollivander

Gerbold Ollivander was a renowned British wandmaker and a member of the ancient Ollivander family. He was the grandfather of the celebrated wandmaker Garrick Ollivander. While not mentioned in the primary novels, Gerbold is known for having significantly expanded the family business and for coining a well-known maxim regarding wands made of rowan wood (Pottermore).

Details of Gerbold Ollivander's life are scarce and originate from supplementary materials. As a member of the Ollivander family, he inherited the family business of wandmaking. During his tenure as proprietor of Ollivanders, he was responsible for transforming the shop from a modest establishment into a more prominent and influential business (Pottermore). He passed the family trade and shop down to his son, Gervaise Ollivander, who subsequently bequeathed it to his own son, Garrick Ollivander. Gerbold's work laid the foundation for the international reputation that the Ollivanders shop would later enjoy under his grandson's management.

No physical description of Gerbold Ollivander exists. His personality can be partially inferred from his famous saying, “Never Marry a Witch Who Likes Rowan.” This suggests he held strong, perhaps superstitious, beliefs about the connection between a wand's core wood and its owner's character. He may have been a cautious and opinionated individual, deeply invested in the lore and subtleties of his craft (Pottermore).

• Wandmaking: As a member of the most respected wandmaking family in Britain, Gerbold was undoubtedly a highly skilled wandmaker. His ability to expand the family business attests to his proficiency and the quality of his work (Pottermore).
• Wandlore: Gerbold possessed a deep understanding of wandlore, as evidenced by his definitive statements on the properties of different wand woods and their ideal owners.

• Ollivanders: During his lifetime, Gerbold was the proprietor of the Ollivanders wand shop located in Diagon Alley.
• Wand: The specifications of his personal wand are unknown.

• Ollivander family: He was a key figure in the lineage of the Ollivander family, serving as the link between his father and his son, Gervaise Ollivander.
• Gervaise Ollivander: His son and heir to the family business (Pottermore).
• Garrick Ollivander: His grandson. While it is unknown if they ever met, Gerbold's work and philosophies influenced the legacy that Garrick would inherit.

• Gerbold: The name is of Germanic origin, combining “ger” (spear) and “bold” (brave, daring). This could be interpreted as “brave with a spear,” which metaphorically fits a wandmaker whose tools of the trade are wands, often used for duelling and defence.
• Ollivander: The surname suggests a Mediterranean origin, possibly meaning “he who owns the olive wand.” The olive branch is a traditional symbol of peace, which presents an interesting dichotomy for a family that creates the primary instrument of magical conflict.

Gerbold Ollivander is not mentioned in any of the seven original *Harry Potter* novels. All known information about him comes from supplemental writings by J.K. Rowling on the Pottermore (now Wizarding World) website. He is specifically mentioned in the articles on “Wand Woods,” where his maxim about rowan is recorded, and “The Ollivander Family,” which details his contribution to the family business.