This is an ancient and famous Scottish surname. It is locational from the barony of Ogilvie near Glamis, in the former county of Angus. In the modern idiom the surname has several spellings including Ogilvie, Ogilvy, Ogelsby and Ogilby. The name probably derives from the pre 7th century Olde English or Welsh word "ugl" meaning high, and "ma" a place. Gilbert, the son of Gillebride, the first Earl of Angus, was the first to assume the surname, when he was granted the manor of Ogilvy in 1172. Other original forms of the name include de Oggiluill in 1267, and de Ogelvey in 1316. Walter de Ogilby was appointed High Treasurer of the kingdom of Scotland in 1425, David of Ogilby was a hostage for the King of Scotland in England in 1425. The development continued with spellings such as Ogelbe in 1531, Ogglebie 1665, and Oglevie in 1661. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alexander de Oggoluin. This was dated 1232, in the register of the charters of the Scottish Historical Society, Edinburgh, during the reign of King Alexander 11nd of Scotland, 1214 - 1249. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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