Scottish Family Names N-O

NAPIER

NAME ON MAP: NAPER OLD COUNTY: Dunbarton DATE: 1296 MEANING: tradition has it that Donald, the younger son of the Earl of Lennox, once saved the day for the King of Scots in battle and in gratitude the king dubbed him `nae peer', that is `without equal'. Napier, however, was a MIDDLE ENGLISH name for the man responsible for the royal linen and this may well be the true meaning. A John le Naper rendered homage to Edward I in 1296.

OGILVY

NAME ON MAP: OGILVIN OLD COUNTY: Angus DATE: c.1205 MEANING: the name is territorial: probably BRYTHONIC ocel `high' with BRYTHONIC ma, fa `plain' or GOIDELIC bheinn `hill'. Gilbert, son of Gillebride, the 1st earl of Angus was granted a charter for the lands between 1172‑77.

OLIPHANT

NAME ON MAP: OLIFAUNT OLD COUNTY: Fife DATE: 13th century MEANING: David Holifard, a Norman, saved the life of David I at Winchester in 1141 when he was living in England and was rewarded with a grant of land in Scotland. The change of name is believed to have been influenced by stories of `earth‑shaking beasts' brought back by the Crusaders.