genealogy - Was Harry Potter a direct descendant of Godric Gryffindor?

I know that he was related to

Ignotus Peverell

From CoS we know he was a "spiritual" heir of Gryffindor (aka True Gryffindor) - but so was Neville from DH events.

And he was born in Godric's Hollow.

But is there any information to confirm or deny whether Harry Potter was literally descended from Godric Gryffindor?

Answer

No, Harry is not descended from Godric Gryffindor, but rather is descended from the Peverell brothers of The Tale of the Three Brothers and owners of the original hallows on his father's side. Hence Harry owning a perfectly pristine invisibility cloak. Ironically, it was Voldemort's family who ended up with the Resurrection Stone, which had the Peverell coat of arms etched into it. JKR has stated emphatically that Harry and Godric Gryffindor are not in any way related.

In an interview with The Leaky Cauldron on July 16, 2005 JKR said:

MA: What about Harry's family — his grandparents — were they killed?
JKR: No. This takes us into more mundane territory. As a writer, it was more interesting, plot-wise, if Harry was completely alone. So I rather ruthlessly disposed of his entire family apart from Aunt Petunia. I mean, James and Lily are massively important to the plot, of course, but the grandparents? No. And, because I do like my backstory: Petunia and Lily's parents, normal Muggle death. James's parents were elderly, were getting on a little when he was born, which explains the only child, very pampered, had-him-late-in-life-so-he's-an-extra-treasure, as often happens, I think. They were old in wizarding terms, and they died. They succumbed to a wizarding illness. That's as far as it goes. There's nothing serious or sinister about those deaths. I just needed them out of the way so I killed them.
MA: That sort of shuts down Heir of Gryffindor [theories], as well.
JKR: [Pause.] Yeah. Well - yeah.
MA: Another one bites the dust.
The Snitchseeker

Harry is very distantly related to Voldemort through the Peverell line, according to J.K. Rowling.

Comments

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