Clan Oliphant

Clan Oliphant is a highland clan that can trace its family line back to the Normans who initially held land in Northampton England.  In Eleven fourteen, David de Olifard, who is considered to be Oliphant’s first clan leader, was granted lands in Roxburghshire, Scotland in exchange for saving the Scottish king’s life in the Battle of Winchester.

In The 14th century, the Oliphant clan gathered more land in Scotland,  they were awarded land at Gask in Perthshire when Clan Oliphant defended Stirling Castle in the wars of Scottish Independence.

The motto of Clan Oliphant is tout pourvoir, which is French for provide for,  the crest of the clan is represented by A unicorn’s head couped, Argent armed and manned Or.

Clan Oliphant claims Ardblair castle as its clan seat.  The castle is located in Perthshire Scotland  and was aquired by the Clan in 1792 when the property was passed through marriage from the Blair clan to Laurence Oliphant of Gask.  It is currently a private residence and serves as the Blair seat as well.

Throughout it’s history the Oliphant clans had been a staunch support of the House of Stuart and it’s claim to the British Crown.  They fought with the Jacobites at the battle of Culloden in 1746.  After the Jacobite defeat, the chief, Laurence Oliphant and his son sought refuge in Europe.

The direct line of the Oliphant Chief died out in 1749 and there was a two hundred and fifty year lapse until 2003 when the lord Lyon King of Arms awarded Richard Oliphant the chiefdom.

The Oliphant clan society was created in the early nineteen eighties and have had a number of gatherings in around the world including Canada, the us, New Zealand and Australia.