MOTTO
A Fin = To the End
HERITAGE
The lands of Ogilvy are in Angus and the name is derived from the Brittonic "Ocel-fa" which means "high plain". In Pictish times Angus was ruled by a mormaer who was one of the ancient Celtic nobles of Scotland who became the first Earls. The title of Mormaer of Angus became Earl of Angus. Gillebride, Earl of Angus, received a Barony from King William the Lion in 1163.
Patrick de Ogilvy swore fealty to Edward I of England and appears in the Ragman Rolls of 1296. His sons Sir Patrick Ogilvy and Sir Robert de Ogilvy were instead strong supporters of Robert the Bruce. Sir Patrick Ogilvy, for his loyalty and faithful service, received a charter for the lands of Kettins, while Robert de Ogilvy was described as one of Robert the Bruce's firmest friends.
In 1365 the Ogilvys became hereditary Sheriffs of Angus. Walter Ogilvy, on the death of his uncle Sir Malcom Ramsey, succeeded him as the Sheriff of Forfar. In 1369, he gained the Barony of Cortachy. In 1391 Sir Walter Ogilvy, Sheriff of Angus, led Clan Ogilvy in battle against Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan (the Wolf of Badenoch) during the Raid of Angus. Ogilvys fought at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. Sir Patrick Ogilvy commanded the Scottish forces that fought alongside Joan of Arc against the English, and he was styled Viscomte d'Angus.
In 1425 Sir Walter Ogilvy, younger son of Ogilvy of Wester Powrie, was appointed High Treasurer of Scotland.
In 1615 Saint John Ogilvy was hanged at Glasgow Cross. In 1639 the seventh Lord Ogilvy was created Earl of Airlie.
Sir George Ogilvy of Barras defended Dunnottar Castle against Cromwell in 1651 and 1652, and was instrumental in preventing the Regalia of Scotland from falling into his hands.
The Clan Ogilvy supported the Stuart cause and joined the Earl of Mar in the Jacobite rising of 1715. Lord Ogilvy was detained but was allowed to return home in 1725, although his titles were not restored. When he died in 1730, his younger brother, John Ogilvy, assumed the title Earl of Airlie. During the Jacobite rising of 1745, his son, David Ogilvy, raised a regiment that was composed mostly of Ogilvys to fight for Prince Charles Edward Stuart. In 1746, the regiment fought at the Battle of Culloden. After the defeat at Culloden, Ogilvy escaped to France. There he entered royal service and obtained the rank of General. The Earldom of Airlie was not restored until an Act of Parliament in 1896 when it was confirmed to David Ogilvy, the sixth Earl.
David Ogilvy, 14th Earl of Airlie, is the present Chief of Clan Ogilvie. His father, the 13th Earl, served as Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth II. The Clan's royal links were also reinforced when Angus Ogilvy, the Uncle of the Chief, married HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent.
About our 2024 Honored Clan,
Clan Ogilvie
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