Lord Oliphant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lord Oliphant |
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Gules three Crescents Argent
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| Creation date | July 1455 |
| Peerage | Peerage of Scotland |
| First holder | Laurence Oliphant |
| Last holder | (12th) David Oliphant of Bachilton |
| Extinction date | October 1770 |
The title of Lord Oliphant was a special rank in the Peerage of Scotland. A "peerage" is a system of titles like Duke, Earl, or Lord, often passed down through families. The Lord Oliphant title was created more than once.
Sometimes, a title can be "in abeyance," meaning it's on hold because no one can prove they are the rightful heir. If a title is "extinct," it means there are no more direct heirs, and the title has ended. A "dormant" title is one that exists but no one has claimed it for a long time.
The Lord Oliphant title was first officially recognized around 1455 for Laurence Oliphant. This first version of the title is now in abeyance. Later, the title was created again in 1631 for Patrick Oliphant. This second version became extinct in 1748. A third version of the title was unofficially recognized in 1750 but became dormant in 1770.
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The Start of the Oliphant Title
The Oliphant family has a long history in Scotland. One of the earliest mentions of a "Lord Oliphant" is on a tombstone from around 1365. It belonged to Sir William Olyphant, who was called "Lord of Aberdalgy." This suggests he held a special rank.
In the past, titles like "Lord of Aberdalgy" and "Lord Dupplin" were seen as important lordships. In 1633, a court confirmed that these titles, along with Lord Oliphant, were indeed special ranks.
The first clear written proof of a Lord Oliphant comes from the Great Seal of Scotland in 1394-95. The Great Seal was an official record used by the King. It mentioned John Oliphant as the brother of Lord Oliphant.
Later, in 1408, records show that two brothers of Lord Oliphant, William and Arthur, were involved in a serious crime. Even though they were cousins of the King, they faced severe punishment.
The first Lord Oliphant and his brothers were closely related to the royal family. Their mother was described as the "beloved sister" of King David II. This shows their strong connection to the Scottish kings.
By 1398, only a few lordships existed in Scotland. But between 1429 and 1500, many more were created. This is when Laurence, Lord Oliphant, appeared in records again. His father and grandfather had faced difficulties, including imprisonment, which might explain why the title wasn't mentioned for a while.
How the Title Changed Over Time
Sir Laurence Oliphant was recognized as a Lord in the Scottish Parliament in July 1455. This was a month after he became an adult, suggesting he inherited the title rather than it being newly created for him at that moment. He officially sat in Parliament as a Lord in 1467.
The title continued through several generations. Laurence Oliphant, who became the 5th (or 8th) Lord in 1593, faced a problem: he had no son, only a daughter named Anne. He wanted to make sure the title stayed in the male line of his family. So, he tried to give up his title to the King, hoping it would be regranted to his male heir, Patrick Oliphant.
However, the King didn't officially regrant the title before Lord Oliphant died in 1631. This led to a legal dispute. His daughter, Anne, claimed the title as his rightful heir. In 1633, a court decided that while the title could normally pass to female heirs, Laurence's attempt to give it up to the King had stopped all claims to it.
Despite this court decision, the King decided that the male heir should hold the title. So, in 1641, the King created a new title, Lord Mordington, for Sir James Douglas, who was Anne's husband. He also gave Lord Mordington the same high rank as the former Lords Oliphant. This created the title of Lord Oliphant again, but in a new way.
It is clear that the male heir, Patrick Oliphant, became the Lord Oliphant (second creation). He was the grandson of an earlier Lord Oliphant. This second line of Lords Oliphant continued until Francis Oliphant, the 5th (second creation) Lord, died without children in 1748.
After Francis's death, William Oliphant of Langton started using the title of Lord Oliphant. He even voted as Lord Oliphant in an election for Scottish representatives in 1750. Since the second creation of the title was only for male heirs of Patrick Oliphant, that title had ended. So, William's use of the title was like a third, unofficial creation. William died in 1751 without children.
Later, David Oliphant of Bachilton also claimed and used the title without challenge in 1757. He voted as Lord Oliphant in 1761. He passed away in 1770.
Today, the title of Lord Oliphant is considered dormant, meaning it exists but is not currently held by anyone. The main male heir to the original Lord Oliphant title is Richard Eric Laurence Oliphant of that Ilk, who is the current Chief of Clan Oliphant.
Lords Oliphant (by 1394)
- Sir John Oliphant, Lord of Aberdalgie and Lord of Dupplin, 1st Lord Oliphant (died 1417)
- Sir William Oliphant, Lord of Aberdalgie and Lord of Dupplin, 2nd Lord Oliphant (died 1444)
- Sir John Oliphant, Lord of Aberdalgie and Lord of Dupplin, 3rd Lord Oliphant (died 1445)
Lords Oliphant (documented from 1455)
- Laurence Oliphant, known as 1st but more correctly 4th Lord Oliphant, Aberdalgie and Dupplin (died 1498)
- John Oliphant, known as 2nd but more correctly 5th Lord Oliphant, Aberdalgie and Dupplin (died 1516)
- Laurence Oliphant, known as 3rd but more correctly 6th Lord Oliphant, Aberdalgie and Dupplin (1505–1566)
- Laurence Oliphant, known as 4th but more correctly 7th Lord Oliphant, Aberdalgie and Dupplin (1527–1593)
- Laurence Oliphant, known as 5th but more correctly 8th Lord Oliphant, Aberdalgie and Dupplin (1583–1631)
Lords Oliphant, second creation (1631)
- Patrick Oliphant, known as 6th but more correctly 9th (second creation) Lord Oliphant (died 1680)
- Charles Oliphant, known as 7th but more correctly 10th (second creation) Lord Oliphant (died 1709)
- Patrick Oliphant, known as 8th but more correctly 11th (second creation) Lord Oliphant (died 1721)
- William Oliphant, known as 9th but more correctly 12th (second creation) Lord Oliphant (died 1728)
- Francis Oliphant, known as 10th but more correctly 13th (second creation) Lord Oliphant (1715–1748)
Lords Oliphant, third creation (1748)
- William Oliphant, known as 11th but more correctly 14th (third creation) Lord Oliphant (died 1751)
Lords Oliphant, fourth creation (1757)
- David Oliphant, 6th of Bachilton, known as 12th but more correctly 15th (third creation) Lord Oliphant (died 1770)
See also
- Clan Oliphant
- Oliphant (surname)
