Rowena Ravenclaw was born sometime in the tenth century. She was from the glens of Scotland and was either born or married into the Ravenclaw family. She was a good friend of Helga Hufflepuff, from the Welsh valleys.

At an unknown time and by unknown means, Ravenclaw acquired a wand. It is possible she purchased it from the Ollivander family, who had been in the wand-making business since 382 B.C.,  or made it herself.