Oliphant Clan

Scottish Clans

Oliphant Tartans & Clan

The Oliphant clan tartan embodies one of Scotland's most ancient noble families, whose lineage traces from medieval Scottish nobility to distinguished military leaders across the British Empire and throughout North America's Scottish diaspora.

Clan Motto

A tout pouvoir
(Provide for all)

Heritage & Identity

Who Wears Oliphant Tartan?

Worn by Oliphant descendants globally, sept families including Ollivant and Elephint bearers, Scottish regiment veterans, and Highland heritage enthusiasts across the United States, Canada, and Britain.

Associated Names

Ollivant

Elephint

Olifant

Oliphant of Gask

Oliphant of Aberdalgie

Oliphant of Bachilton

Oliphant of Condie

Oliphant of Newton

Oliphant of Rossie

Military Heritage

Associated Regiments

Oliphant warriors distinguished themselves in Highland regiments, Jacobite campaigns, and British colonial forces, serving with particular honor in Canadian frontier conflicts and Indian military expeditions across the Empire.

Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)

Scots Guards

Gordon Highlanders

Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (Canada)

Nova Scotia Highlanders (Canada)

Royal Scots Fusiliers

Shop Oliphant Tartan Products

Explore authentic Oliphant clan merchandise including Highland kilts, tartan accessories, clan badges, ceremonial sashes, dress sporrans, and heritage items crafted for descendants across America, Canada, and Scotland.

Oliphant Tartans

0 Variations

Each tartan can feature several variations, with the most common being Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress.

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Ancient Tartan

Before 1860, all fabric dyes came from nature — plants, berries, bark, and insects. The colours they produced were softer and more muted than what we're used to today: think mossy greens, dusty sky blues, and reds with a warm, orangey tone. A lot of people actually prefer Ancient tartans for this reason — the gentler contrasts let the pattern breathe and stand out in a way that bolder colours sometimes don't. Worth knowing: the pattern itself, called the sett, is exactly the same across all variations of a tartan. It's only the colours that change.

The Oliphant Story

Four centuries of history woven into every thread

Norman Origins

The Oliphant clan's Scottish story begins with Sir David de Oliphant, who arrived from Northumberland during King David I's reign in the 12th century. Granted extensive lands in Roxburghshire, the family quickly established themselves among Scotland's premier noble houses. The Oliphants became hereditary justiciars and sheriffs, wielding significant judicial authority across the Scottish Borders. Their coat of arms featuring three crescents reflected their status as royal officials, while their motto 'Tout Pourvoir' demonstrated their commitment to providing complete service to the Scottish crown throughout the medieval period.

Royal Service

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the Oliphants expanded their influence through strategic marriages and unwavering loyalty to Scottish independence. Sir William Oliphant of Aberdalgie became one of Scotland's most celebrated heroes, defending Stirling Castle against Edward I's siege in 1304. His courageous resistance earned him imprisonment in the Tower of London but immortalized the Oliphant name in Scottish history. The family acquired lands throughout Perthshire, including the strategic castle of Aberdalgie, establishing multiple cadet branches that would serve Scottish royalty for centuries while maintaining their reputation as formidable warriors.

Where does the name Oliphant come from?

Oliphant derives from the Old French 'olifant' meaning elephant, originally referring to ivory hunting horns carved from elephant tusks used by medieval nobles. The name arrived in Scotland with Sir David de Oliphant in the 12th century, who received lands from King David I. This Norman-French surname reflects the family's noble status as royal huntsmen and courtiers in medieval Scotland's feudal system.

Highland Traditions

The Oliphants demonstrated fierce loyalty to the Stewart cause throughout the Jacobite uprisings, with clan members fighting at Killiecrankie in 1689 and Culloden in 1746. Laurence Oliphant of Gask became a prominent Jacobite supporter, sheltering Prince Charles Edward Stuart and organizing Highland regiment support. Following Culloden's defeat, many Oliphants faced persecution and exile, leading to significant emigration to North America. Despite these hardships, the clan maintained their Highland traditions and military prowess, serving in British colonial forces while preserving their distinctive Scottish identity across the expanding Empire.

Imperial Service

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Oliphants distinguished themselves in British military service across India, Canada, and Australia. Notable clan members included General Sir Anthony Oliphant, who commanded forces during the Napoleonic Wars, and various Oliphant officers who served in Highland regiments throughout the Empire. The family produced acclaimed authors, including Margaret Oliphant, one of Victorian Britain's most prolific writers. Meanwhile, Oliphant emigrants established thriving communities in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and the American colonies, maintaining clan connections through Highland societies and cultural organizations that celebrated their ancient Scottish heritage.

The Oliphant tartan carries eight centuries of noble Scottish heritage, from royal court service to Highland military valor, woven into patterns cherished by descendants worldwide.

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