Show ContentsOkilsbey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A family in the Pictish tribe of ancient Scotland was the first to use the name Okilsbey. They lived 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 Okilsbey family

The surname Okilsbey 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 Okilsbey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Okilsbey 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 Okilsbey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Okilsbey Spelling Variations

In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name Okilsbey has been spelled Ogilvie, Ogilvy, Oguilvie, Ogilby, Ogleby and many more.

Early Notables of the Okilsbey 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 Okilsbey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Okilsbey family

In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through Clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of Okilsbey: 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 Okilsbey 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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