Cresswell is the surname of a family that started out Muggle. In 1961, however, a wizard, Dirk Cresswell, was born into the family. In 1998, Dirk was killed by Snatchers, leaving behind a wife and at least two sons. During the Battle of Hogwarts, the youngest, Jonathan, was killed defending the castle on 2 May, 1998, becoming the youngest victim to die in that exact battle.
History
The family began in the year 1961, when Dirk Cresswell, a muggle-born wizard, was born to non-magical parents in the village of Sedgley, Dudley, Staffordshire, England. Dirk Cresswell began attending Hogwarts in 1972 and was sorted into Gryffindor House. Right after leaving school, he married Millicent Fawley, and they had a son, Geoffrey, in 1981.
Dirk later became the Head of the Goblin Liaison Office at the Ministry of Magic, and was considered by many to be a great wizard. He spoke fluent Gobbledegook. When the Ministry was taken over by Lord Voldemort, Dirk attempted to use a forged family tree in order to claim wizarding heritage, but was discovered by Albert Runcorn. He went on the run to avoid the Muggle-Born Registration Commission, but was eventually caught and murdered by Snatchers.
Both of his sons stayed to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts. Geoffrey survived, but Johnny was killed.
Family Members
- Dirk Cresswell — a Muggle-born wizard and the head of the Goblin Liaison Office; killed by Snatchers in 1998
- Millicent Cresswell (née Fawley) — wife of Dirk
- Geoffrey Cresswell — son of Dirk, born 1981
- Jonathan "Johnny" Cresswell — son of Dirk, born 1983
Etymology
Cresswell means "stream where watercress grows," from the Old English caerse, "watercress," and well, "stream" or "spring." It is the name of several villages in England (as is the alternate spelling Creswell).