Show ContentsOkilvay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Pictish clans of ancient Scotland were the ancestors of first people to use the name Okilvay. The name was found in the county of Angus near Glamis. Although Bishop Leslie, a noted historian during the time of Mary Queen of Scots, lists the Ogilvies as being derived from the Border Country in the vicinity of Kelso, serious question must be made of the authenticity of the statement.

It seems more plausible to deduce this Clan to be of original Pictish stock, descended from Dubhucan, Earl of Angus (1115 AD), of the Mormaers of Angus. The root of the name is thought to be from the Welsh uchel, meaning "high." 1

Early Origins of the Okilvay family

The surname Okilvay was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, where Gilbert, son of Gillebride, 1st Earl of Angus, obtained a charter of the lands of Purin, Ogguluin and Kynmethan, in Angus between 1172 and 1177.

Gilbert is also on record as a witness of a grant of the church of Monyfode to the Abbey of Arbroath by his brother, Gilchrist, 3rd Earl of Angys between 1201-04. There is also early record of an Alexander de Oggoluin, who had a Charter of the lands of Belauht around 1232. Patrick Oggelville or Eggilvyn (of county Forfar) swore an oath of allegiance to King Edward the 1st of England in 1296.

Early History of the Okilvay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Okilvay research. Another 445 words (32 lines of text) covering the years 1320, 1392, 1425, 1430, 1440, 1491, 1579, 1580, 1592, 1596, 1600, 1602, 1605, 1613, 1614, 1615, 1639, 1645, 1651, 1652, 1672, 1676, 1679, 1688, 1701, 1707, 1715, 1745, 1778, 1826, 1927 and 1976 are included under the topic Early Okilvay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Okilvay Spelling Variations

In the Middle ages, spelling and translation were not yet regulated by any general rules. spelling variations in names were common even among members of one family unit. Okilvay has appeared Ogilvie, Ogilvy, Oguilvie, Ogilby, Ogleby and many more.

Early Notables of the Okilvay family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Saint John Ogilvie (1579-1615), a Jesuit priest, and a cadet of Ogilvy of Findlater, who was arrested and hanged at Glasgow Cross for his defense of the spiritual supremacy of the papacy. He was beatified in 1927 and canonized in 1976. Sir Walter Ogilvy or Ogilvie (d. 1440), of Lintrathen, "Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, was the second son of Sir Walter Ogilvy of Wester Powrie and Auchterhouse. The father was the 'gude Schir Walter Ogilvie'...
Another 83 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Okilvay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Okilvay family

Faced by this persecution and the generally unstable political climate of those days, many Scots chose to leave their homeland for Ireland, Australia, and North America in search of greater opportunity and freedom. The colonies across the Atlantic were the most popular choice, but a passage there was neither cheap nor easily suffered. Passengers arrived sick and poor, but those who made it intact often found land and more tolerant societies in which to live. These brave settlers formed the backbone of the burgeoning nations of Canada and the United States. It is only this century that the ancestors of these families have begun to recover their collective identity through the patriotic highland games and Clan societies that have sprung up throughout North America. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Okilvay: John Oglesby, who settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife, children and servants; John Ogilby, who settled in Barbados in 1678, with his wife and children.



The Okilvay Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: A fin
Motto Translation: To the end.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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