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The Harry Potter universe has featured many dangerous creatures and villains, from Dementors to Dolores Umbridge. However, some of the deadliest, in terms of feats, have made a mark that has had them remembered for decades. Two of the best examples have been Gellert Grindelwald and Lord Voldemort, based on their fiendish goals and the many lives they've taken. That said, even their vile acts may be nothing compared to the lengths their followers will go to, specifically the Death Eaters.
Death Eaters have been around for as long as Voldemort has been controlling those weaker than him. But they made the greatest impact during the First and Second Wizarding Wars with members like Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy. That said, while their menace is unquestioned, the question of where Death Eaters got their name has remained a conundrum. But the answer to how and why they're given such a chilling moniker only adds to their menace.
How Did the Death Eaters Begin?
Before they got their name, the foundation of Death Eaters was formed by a young Tom Riddle and Slytherins that were too weak, ambitious or malicious. The followers that Riddle had chosen traits he could easily manipulate and exploit to his advantage, which was exactly what he did. No matter what his followers did for him, it could never be traced back to him as he set himself up as a model student.
Following graduation, Riddle's ambitions continued to push him on his dark quest, and those same followers and others reunited with him to form the Knights of Walpurgis. However, this name didn't last long and was later renamed Death Eaters, which remained until Voldemort's death. Death Eaters had their own structure as well, which involved unflinching loyalty in hopes of earning the "Dark Mark," a tattoo of a skull and snake that signified they were full-fledged members. As Death Eaters, many dark magic users did terrible things, such as Barty Crouch Jr. supplanting Alastair Moody or torturing Arthur Weasley for information.
The Death Eater Name Has a Dark Meaning
At a glance, the name "Death Eater" sounds intimidating but makes absolutely no sense. However, closer inspection revealed that its meaning only added to its menace. For his whole life, Voldemort sought to defeat death and become immortal, no matter how much humanity he had to sacrifice in the process. Though immortality wasn't in the cards for Death Eaters, they believed in the goal, as well as pure-blood superiority, and followed his orders with glee.
As a result, Death Eater meant that those with the title would rather eat death itself than succumb to it. Killing and evading death were all to scoff at the concept and send those that didn't equally despise it to an early grave. In the end, while their name may seem strange at first, an understanding of their origin proved that to be a Death Eater meant following their leader to the end and killing any in their way.