He was the eldest son of Laurence Oliphant, 1st Lord Oliphant and Elizabeth Hay, a daughter of William Hay, 1st Earl of Erroll.
He sent his servant to the king with a gift of plums in August 1503, at the time of his wedding to Margaret Tudor.
[1] James IV invited him to the baptism of his son in February 1507 at Holyrood.
In March Oliphant was asked to spend Easter at court at Holyrood Palace.
[2] In September 1507 James IV gave him a letter of remission or forgiveness for his crimes against Lord Drummond and Earl of Buchan.