The Oliphants have about 9 known crests. The first and most famous is the Chiefly crest (which may be worn as explained above by all Clan and Sept members,) which is a Unicorn couped argent. This crest is accompanied by the motto "Tout Pourvoir" or Provide for all.
The Oliphants of Gask have two known crests. The first was the original crest worn by the Chieftain of the Gask branch in his arms, and by some Gask branch members, depicting a falcon perched proper, with the motto 'A Tout Pouvoir', which, althought similar to 'Tout Pourvoir', means something completely different; "All things are possible". The Gask branch eventually changed their crest and motto to a Unicorn and 'Tout Pourvoir' respectively, in order to be more similar to the Chiefs. Since, it has reverted back to the original crest (in the arms of Laurence Oliphant of Ardblair and Gask as matriculated in 1979,) and since then as a combination of the two (with the motto of 'A Tout Pouvoir' and the crest of a Unicorn.)
Charles Oliphant, Writer to the Signet, of Edinburgh, has recorded the crest of an Elephants head erased proper, with the motto 'Quod Aegis, Fortiter' (which you do bravely.) As this man is not a chieftain, nor the head of an armigerous family, it would be unlikely that anyone spare himself would have worn this crest.
The Oliphant of Clasbainy (Clashbeny) has recorded the crest of a 'sun in its glory', with the motto 'Hinc Illuminabimur' (Hence it shall be enlightened) This crest was also used by the Oliphants of Langton.
The Oliphant of Condie bears the crest of a falcon volant proper (in full flight) and the motto 'Altiora Peto' (I strive higher.) This is worn in the Arms of Richard Oliphant of Condie, and can be worn (as always encircled by a strap and buckle) by members of that branch of the Clan.
The Oliphant of Culquhir (Culteuchar) bears the crest of an elephants trunk, however there is no motto registered.
The Oliphant of Bachilton's crest bears a crescent, and the motto "What was may be".
The crest of Lawrence Oliphant, Esquire, of Liverpool, is very similar to Charles Oliphant, Writer to the Signet. The differnce being that in that of Charles Oliphant, the Elephants head is "erased" which means it looks as though it has been torn off, leaving a jagged edge; where in the crest of Lawrence Oliphant, the Elephants head is "couped", meaning that it has a clean cut at the neck. Again, this is the crest of a single armigerous Clansmen (not a chief or chieftain,) and therefore would only have been worn by him.
The Oliphant of Prinlis bears the crest of a hand pointing "to the clouds". The crest was recorded prior to 1790 in the arms of Andrew Oliphant of Prinlis.
The Oliphants of Rossie also have their own distinct crest, that of an "Eagle rising regardant proper" or and Eagle rising, looking back. The crest can also be viewed as in the Coat of Arms of David Oliphant, of the Rossie branch, here. |
