Oliphant or Olyphant is a surname that was established in England and Scotland by a family of Norman origin. The early forms Olifard and Oliphard (likely "olif" conjoined with the intensive suffix "-ard") are believed to allude to an olive branch. Notable people with the surname include:
Betty Oliphant (1918–2004), Canadian dance educator
Charles Oliphant (1666–1719), Scottish physician and politician
David Olyphant (1789–1851), American trader in the Far East
Evan Oliphant (b. 1982), Scottish cyclist
Greg Oliphant (b. 1950), Australian rugby league footballer and coach
James Oliphant (1796–1881), Chairman of H.E.I.C. and Equerry to Maharajah Duleep Singh
John Oliphant (d. 1905), Scottish portrait painter
Laurence Oliphant (author) (1829–1888), British author and mystic
Sir Laurence Oliphant (British Army officer) (1846–1914), 9th of Condie and 31st Chief of Clan Oliphant
Laurence Oliphant (Jacobite) (1691–1767), Scottish Jacobite army officer
Laurence Oliphant (b.1791), Scottish politician
Margaret Oliphant (1828–1897), Scottish novelist and historical writer
Sir Mark Oliphant (1901–2000), Australian physicist and Governor of South Australia
Mike Oliphant (b. 1963), American NFL running back
Pat Oliphant (b. 1935), Australian American editorial/political cartoonist
Peter Oliphant, American actor and video game designer
Rob Oliphant (b. 1956), Canadian politician
Robert Morrison Olyphant (1824–1918), President of the Delaware and Hudson Railway
Timothy Olyphant (b. 1968), American actor
Thomas Oliphant, American journalist
Thomas Oliphant (1799–1873), Scottish musician and artist
William Oliphant, Lord of Aberdalgie (d. 1329), Scottish magnate during the Scottish Wars of Independence
Sir William Oliphant (died aft. 1313) Governor of Stirling Castle, Scottish Wars of Independence
