Coming from Norman origin, the oliphants originally held lands in Northamptonshire in England before moving to Scotland sometime before 1100.
The clan would come to be associated with the areas of Perthshire and Fife and it is here that their three historical clan seats – Aberdalgie, Dupplin Castle and Kellie Castle were located.
The current clan chief is Richard Eric Laurence Oliphant of that Ilk, who was decreed on 12 June 2003.