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 educatorCharles Oliphant (1666–1719), Scottish physician and politicianDavid Olyphant (1789–1851), American trader in the Far EastEvan Oliphant (b. 1982), Scottish cyclistGreg Oliphant (b. 1950), Australian rugby league footballer and coachJames Oliphant (1796–1881), Chairman of H.E.I.C. and Equerry to Maharajah Duleep SinghJohn Oliphant (d. 1905), Scottish portrait painterLaurence Oliphant (author) (1829–1888), British author and mysticSir Laurence Oliphant (British Army officer) (1846–1914), 9th of Condie and 31st Chief of Clan OliphantLaurence Oliphant (Jacobite) (1691–1767), Scottish Jacobite army officerLaurence Oliphant (b.1791), Scottish politicianMargaret Oliphant (1828–1897), Scottish novelist and historical writerSir Mark Oliphant (1901–2000), Australian physicist and Governor of South AustraliaMike Oliphant (b. 1963), American NFL running backPat Oliphant (b. 1935), Australian American editorial/political cartoonistPeter Oliphant, American actor and video game designerRob Oliphant (b. 1956), Canadian politicianRobert Morrison Olyphant (1824–1918), President of the Delaware and Hudson RailwayTimothy Olyphant (b. 1968), American actorThomas Oliphant, American journalistThomas Oliphant (1799–1873), Scottish musician and artistWilliam Oliphant, Lord of Aberdalgie (d. 1329), Scottish magnate during the Scottish Wars of IndependenceSir William Oliphant (died aft. 1313) Governor of Stirling Castle, Scottish Wars of Independence