Recently I watched J.K. Rowling's Harvard Commencement Speech and she mentions that she named some Death Eaters after her friends.
Here is the actual quote:
They are my children’s godparents, the people to whom I’ve been able to turn in times of trouble, people who have been kind enough not to sue me when I took their names for Death Eaters.
- Text of J.K. Rowling’s speech - Harvard
After doing some initial research I discovered that Dean Thomas was originally named after a childhood friend... But, he's not a Death Eater.
Remember Gary Thomas, that lovable Muggleborn Gryffindor of The Original Forty in Harry Potter? You know, Gary — who took lessons with the Golden Trio, who loved Muggle football, who fought in Dumbledore's Army and spent all of seventh year on the run from Death Eaters? You know, GARY!! Oh, no, wait — you don't remember. Because Gary Thomas is dead. Or, more accurately, J.K. Rowling originally named Dean Thomas "Gary" in Harry Potter, before ultimately deciding that "Gary" was not a fitting name for him after all.
- J.K. Rowling Renamed A 'Harry Potter' Character After Her Friend - Bustle
Am I misinterpreting and this is just a joke? If not, which Death Eaters took their names from her friends?