Oliphant Clan

Oliphant Clan Crest: A unicorn's head.

Oliphant Clan Motto: A Tout Pouvoir (Provide for all).

History of Clan Oliphant:
The Oliphants came from Normandy with William the Conqueror in 1066 and settled in Northamptonshire in England. Tradition has it that, in 1141, David de Olifard saved David I of Scotland's life at the Siege of Winchester Castle during the English Civil War fought between King David's niece, the Empress Matilda, widow of  Henry V,  the Holy Roman Emperor, and her cousin Stephen of Blois.  As a reward, Olfard's son, also David, was given lands in Roxburghshire.  In the reign of Malcolm IV, he appears as Justiciar of the Lothians.

Although the Oliphants gave homage to Edward I of England in 1296, they rallied to the Scottish cause, and Sir William Oliphant held Stirling Castle against the siege of Edward in 1304. Following his victory at the Battle of Bannockburn, Robert the Bruce granted the Oliphants the lands of Gask and Aberdalgie.

In the next generation, Sir John Oliphant was knighted by Robert II, and in 1458 Sir Laurence of Aberdalgy was made a Lord of Parliament. In 1491, he was Scotland's Ambassador to France.

The Oliphants fought and died at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, and Sir Laurence's grandson was taken prisoner at the Battle of Solway Moss in 1542.  The 4th Lord Oliphant was present at the wedding of Mary Queen  of Scots and Lord Darnley, and fought on her behalf at the Battle of Langside in 1568. Inexplicably, his son was implicated in the Gowrie Conspiracy against James VI and was exiled, the title passing to his second son whose profligate tastes bankrupted the estates. When he died without an heir, the title was re-created by Charles I for Patrick Oliphant of Gask, a cousin.

The Oliphants thereafter became active Jacobites, fighting for the cause at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689, firm in their opposition to the Treaty of Union in 1707, and taking part in the 1715 Uprising.  The 10th Lord Oliphant was forced into exile after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, but permitted to return to Scotland in 1763.  On his death, the peerage became extinct.

Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne (1766-1845) was daughter of the Laird of Gask and married William Nairne in 1806. Throughout her life she penned a series of ballads, the most notable being The Laird o' Cockpen, Caller Herrin, and Charlie is my Darling.

Laurence Oliphant (1929-88) was born in Africa and wrote A Journey to Kathmandu. He became Secretary to the Earl of Elgin, joined a religious community in America, and later settled in Palestine.

Surname distribution in Scotland: The highest concentrations of the Oliphant name occur in Fife, Highland, Perth and Kinross, Dundee City and Angus.

Places of interest:
Kellie Castle, Pittenweem, Fife. Mainly 16th century, this belonged to the Oliphants for 250 years until 1613 when it was acquired by the Erskines.

Hatton Castle, Newtyle, Perthshire. Built in 1575 for Laurence, 14th Lord Oliphant.

Gask House, Perthshire. Former seat of the Oliphants of Gask.

Ardblair Castle, Blairgowrie, Perthshire. Lands granted by David II to Thomas Blair. Passed through marriage to Oliphants of Gask in 1792.

Oliphant Clan members display certificates.