Olifant Family Crest & Name History

In census returns, Olifant often stands in for Oliphant.

What is the meaning of Olifant?

The name is generally explained as “Elephant”.

Is Olifant the same name as Oliphant?

Olifant writes “f” in place of the “ph” found in Oliphant, a typical scribal difference. Spellings drifted because names were written down by ear in parish books, tax rolls and passenger lists. The same family of names includes Olyphant.

Is there an Olifant coat of arms?

A coat of arms belongs to a particular family line rather than to everyone named Olifant, so the heraldry linked to Oliphant is a starting point, not an automatic right.

For the full story, order the Olifant surname pack.