Linfred of Stinchcombe

Linfred of Stinchcombe was a 12th-century wizard who is the originator of the Potter family. (Pottermore) An eccentric and well-loved man, he was known by his Muggle neighbours for his medicinal remedies, earning him the nickname “the Potterer,” which over time was corrupted into the surname “Potter.” (Pottermore) He was a highly skilled Potioneer, and his inventions, including Skele-Gro and Pepperup Potion, formed the basis of the family's fortune. (Pottermore)

Linfred was a famously absent-minded and eccentric wizard who lived in the small West Country village of Stinchcombe in the 12th century. (Pottermore) He was a popular and helpful member of his community, frequently called upon by his Muggle neighbours to provide cures for their various ailments. Unaware that he was a wizard, they simply saw him as a harmless and amiable man who enjoyed “pottering about” in his garden with his strange plants. (Pottermore) This reputation earned him the nickname “the Potterer,” which eventually evolved into the surname “Potter.” (Pottermore) The medicinal remedies Linfred developed were, in fact, early Potions. His foundational work in experimental Potions led to the creation of several cures that remain in use in the modern wizarding world, such as Skele-Gro and Pepperup Potion. (Pottermore) The sale of these Potions to fellow witches and wizards marked the beginning of the Potter family's wealth, a fortune that would grow with each succeeding generation. (Pottermore)

Linfred's physical appearance is not described in detail. He was known for his eccentric and absent-minded personality, though he was also considered amiable and beloved by his community. (Pottermore) He was discreet about his magical abilities, allowing his Muggle acquaintances to believe his cures were mundane herbal remedies, which points to a cautious and clever nature. (Pottermore)

• Potions Mastery: Linfred's greatest talent lay in Potions. He was an inventive and skillful Potioneer, creating remedies that became staples in apothecary cabinets for centuries. (Pottermore)
• Notable Inventions: His most famous creations are the bone-regrowing potion Skele-Gro and the common cold remedy, Pepperup Potion. (Pottermore)

While no specific possessions are documented, as a Potioneer, Linfred would have owned standard potion-making equipment such as a cauldron, phials, and a collection of magical plants and ingredients from his garden. (Pottermore)

• Potter family: Linfred is the patriarch and founder of the Potter family. His work established the family's name and fortune. (Pottermore)
• Hardwin Potter: Linfred's eldest son, Hardwin, continued the family line. It was Hardwin who married the beautiful young witch Iolanthe Peverell, granddaughter of Ignotus Peverell, thereby bringing the Invisibility Cloak into the Potter family's possession. (Pottermore)
• Muggle Neighbours: Linfred maintained a positive and helpful relationship with the Muggles in Stinchcombe, who viewed him as their local healer. (Pottermore)

• Linfred: The name is likely of Anglo-Saxon or Old German origin. Fred means “peace” in Old English.
• Stinchcombe: This is a real village in Gloucestershire, England, grounding the character in a real-world location.
• Potter: According to J.K. Rowling, the surname is a corruption of his nickname, “the Potterer,” which referred to his habit of “pottering” in his garden. (Pottermore)

Linfred of Stinchcombe is not mentioned in the original seven Harry Potter novels. His entire history and connection to the Potter family were created by J.K. Rowling for an essay titled “The Potter Family,” first published on the Pottermore website in 2015. (Pottermore) This essay establishes the ancient, respectable, and inventive Pure-blood lineage of Harry Potter's paternal family.