Author J.K. Rowling has stated on several accounts that she will not publish another "Harry Potter" novel but she has been able to revisit and further explore the "Harry Potter" universe in different ways, such as a spin-off novel and a stage play. Now a short essay titled "The Potter Family," posted on Pottermore, explains the origins and history of the Potter family. 

The story reveals that the earliest wizard to bear the name Potter — or to whom the name can be traced back to — was Linfred of Stinchcombe. He was a wizard known for brewing potions, but to Muggles he seemed like an eccentric old man, a "Potterrer," who constantly worked on his plants. 

The name "Potterer" was then corrupted to the name Potter, which the main hero Harry still carries. 

Harry Potter's fortune is also explored. According to the story, Linfred made a fortune selling his potions to fellow wizards. Before he passed away, he divided his fortune among his seven children. Each one continued to add more to the family coffers. 

Most interestingly, it is revealed that Ignotus Peverell, the wizard who gained the invisibility cloak that is part of the three Deathly Hallow items, passed on the heirloom to his eldest granddaughter Iolanthe. She married Linfred's son Hardwin and the cloak has since been passed down the Potter family until it came to the hands of Harry Potter. 

One Potter from the 1900s named Fleamont also made a fortune creating the Sleekeazy's Hair Potion, which multiplied his savings four times over. He earned even more when he later sold the company. Fleamont was married to a woman named Euphemia, and the couple had a son they named James. They both died due to Dragon Pox before they could see their grandson Harry.  

"The Potter Family" also explains that the Potters were never a part of the "Sacred Twenty-Eight," the term used for the 28 pureblood wizard families, which never had children with muggles or magic-less people. It is explained that the Potters started as purebloods but did mingle with Muggles over time.