FERGUSON
The surname Ferguson is of Scottish origin and belongs to the Gaelic linguistic tradition of the British Isles. It is a patronymic name derived from the Gaelic personal name Fergus (or the older form Fearghus), which is composed of the elements fear “man” and gus “vigour” or “force”. Hence the literal meaning of the name is “man of vigour” or “strong man”.
As a patronymic formation, Ferguson originally signified “son of Fergus”. The most frequent and widespread variant of the older name Fergus, it first appears in Scottish records in the mid‑15th century. The earliest documented spelling is that of John Fergusson, recorded in 1466 in the Scottish Records of Kilkerran during the reign of King James III.
In Scotland the name was associated with the septs of Mar and Atholl, as noted in the Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland (1124‑1707). King Robert I, ruler of Scotland from 1306 to 1329, granted lands in Ayrshire to a Fergus, son of Fergus, thereby reinforcing the name’s noble connections.
The surname spread beyond Scotland through migration and is now common throughout the English‑speaking world. In Ireland, particularly in Ulster, bearers of the name are generally of Scottish descent. Some Irish families claim lineage from Fergus, Prince of Galloway (d. 1161), a historically significant figure linked to the name.
Prominent individuals bearing the name include James Ferguson (1710‑1776), who presented a projection of the partial solar eclipse of 1764 to the Royal Society and lectured on electricity, and Patrick Ferguson (1744‑1780), the inventor of the first breech‑loading rifle employed by the British army. A coat of arms was granted to Major James Ferguson in 1691, displaying a silver buckle between three silver boars’ heads couped on a blue shield, with the motto “Arte et Animo” (By skill and courage).
Typical given names associated with the Ferguson surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Anne
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jean
- Karen
- Linda
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Fergusson
- Fergus
- Farquharson
- Farquhar
- Fargason
- Furgusson
- Farguson
- Fargusson
- Freguson
- Fargson
- Farquar
- Farquher
- Farquhson
- Farquson
- Feargus
- Fergason
- Fergasson
- Fergerson
- Fergeson
- Fergeuson
- Fergnson
- Fergoson
- Fergous
- Fergson
- Fergsuon
- Ferguason
- Ferguerson
- Ferguesen
- Fergueson
- Ferguesson
- Ferguhson
- Ferguison
- Fergurson
- Fergusan
- Ferguscon
- Fergusen
- Fergusion
- Fergusoon
- Fergussin
- Fergussion
- Ferguston
- Ferquson
- Ferrgusson
- Fersguson
- Ferugson
- Feruson
- Firguson
- Firgusson
- Forguson
- Fracassini
- Frickson
- Frogson
- Furgason
- Furgeson
- Furgson
- Furguson
- Varguson
- Verguson
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Ferguson in...
Braille
⠋⠑⠗⠛⠥⠎⠕⠝
Morse
..-...-.--...-...----.
Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Ferguson are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Chocolate Hobnob.
There are approximately 39,221 people named Ferguson in the UK. That makes it the 193rd most common surname in Britain. Around 602 in a million people in Britain are named Ferguson.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Ferguson
- Alex Ferguson - Scottish association football manager and former football player
- Craig Ferguson - Scottish-American television host, comedian, author, and actor
- Duncan Ferguson - Scottish football player
- Niall Ferguson - Historian
- Darren Ferguson - Scottish football manager and former player
- Rebecca Ferguson - Singer-songwriter
- Kevin Ferguson - American mixed martial artist and boxer (1974 to 2016)
- Barry Ferguson - Scottish football player
- Colin Ferguson - Actor, director and producer
- Harry Ferguson - Irish engineer and inventor (1884 to 1960)
- Ronald Ferguson - Life Guards (1931 to 2003)
- Emma Ferguson - Actress
- Darold Durard Brown Ferguson Jr. - American rapper from New York
- Derek Ferguson - Scottish football player
- Shane Ferguson - Northern Irish football player
- Paul Ferguson - Drummer
- Ian Ferguson - Scottish football player
- Adam Ferguson - Scottish philosopher and historian (1723 to 1816)
- Nicholas Ferguson - Businessman
- Ronald Munro Ferguson, 1st Viscount Novar - Politician (1860 to 1934)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.