Oliphants in Scotland: Fife

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Permalink Reply by Ronnie Sewell on October 22, 2009 at 11:54am

I have Oliphants from Newburgh, Fife as far back as the late 1700's. I am aware of an Oliphant in Newburgh in 1660's who was the minister of the local church which was burnt down by two women who were classed as witches, who on conviction were hung and burned.
Anyone else have any Oliphants in Fife?

Permalink Reply by Richie C. on October 22, 2009 at 1:10pm

Hi Ronnie,
I looked on Scotsfind.org and the earliest baptism there in Newburgh is 1659. Laurence Oliphant and Jonnett Young had 5 children around that time.

Permalink Reply by Ronnie Sewell on November 9, 2009 at 9:01am

Thanks Richie, this is the minister of the church that I mentioned above, I have not been able to confirm if he is part of my Oliphant's. I will keep banging away till I can crack the connection!

Permalink Reply by Roddy Oliphant on November 13, 2009 at 6:38pm

Hi Ronnie,

Laurence Oliphant the Minister of Newburgh was actually styled of Kilmarone, which he sold. He was the fourth generation to own it. His great grandfather, Peter Oliphant of Kilmarone was the brother of William Oliphant, younger of Kellie. William died prior to 1518 and I suspect that he actually died at the Battle of Flodden.

The second Oliphant of Kilmarone (Peter's son) was called Bernard. This is a name which is almost unique in the Oliphant family. There was only one other Bernard and he was born in Cumbria, which is where the Scots fled to when routed at Flodden. I suspect that there is a direct link between the Oliphants in Cumbria nad the Oliphants of Kellie.

The Minister had the following children:-
Henry Oliphant of Hattonhill
John Oliphant
Lawrence Oliphant
William Oliphant
James Oliphant
Janet Oliphant
Jean Oliphant

The full genealogy is in a book called the Red Book of Perthshire by Gordon A MacGregor.

http://www.gordonamacgregor.com/RebBook.html

Tell me more about your own genealogy please. I have researched many families of Oliphant in Scotland and I would love to share information.

Yours aye,

Rod.