Clan Ogilvy

Clan Ogilvy / Ogilvie is a Highland Scottish clan.

History

Origins of the clan

The Ogilvys are one of the most distinguished families in Scotland and take their name from Gillebride the second son of Gille Chriosd, Celtic Earl of Angus. The name means 'descendant of Gillebride', and is one of the rather few Scottish names to feature the 'O so common in Irish names.

Patrick de Olgilvy appears on the Ragman Roll swearing fealty to King Edward I of England in 1296.

Wars of Scottish Independence

However Patrick's two sons supported King Robert I of Scotland during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The Ogilvy lands are found in Angus where the Ogilvy family were made hereditary sheriffs in the 14th and 15th centuries.

15th century & clan conflicts

In the 15th century the Tower of Airlie was built as the castle of the Chief of the Ogilvies. In 1394 a clan battle took place between Clan Robertson and the Clan Ogilvy, during a cattle raid on Angus. Sir Walter Ogilvy was slain at this battle, though his son became the Earl of Mar who commanded the Duke of Albany's forces at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411.

The Clan Ogilvy, supported by men from the Clan Oliphant, Clan Seton, Clan Gordon and by the Clan Forbes of Pitsligo fought at the Battle of Arbroath on 24 January 1445. Their enemy was the Master of Crawford and his Clan Lindsay.

During the fifteenth century the Clan Lindsay lost much of their land due to feuding with the Clan Ogilvy. Chief Alexander Lindsay, the 4th...
Read More