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Ferguson History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Sources

Ferguson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland-Alt
Scotland

Etymology of Ferguson

What does the name Ferguson mean?

The Ferguson surname comes from the Irish Gaelic Ó Fearghuis or Ó Fearghasa, meaning "descendant of Fearghus," a Gaelic personal name composed of the elements "fear," meaning "man," and "gus," thought to mean "vigor," or "force." Fearghus was the name of an early Irish mythological King of Ulster, a valiant warrior said to have been shipwrecked off the coast of Northern Ireland c. AD 320, at the place known as Carrickfergus ("rock of Fergus"). 1

Early Origins of the Ferguson family

The surname Ferguson was first found in Connacht, especially in County Mayo, where they held the Parish of Burrishoole in 1303, and were hereditary physicians to the powerful O'Malleys.

"The Ferris variant is more numerous both in the old records and today than Fergus. It is well known in Keryy and in Ulster, where it has several synonyms in use including Fairy and O'Ferry, which however are properly anglicizations of Ó Fearadhaigh, a Cenél sept. There are 27 families of Ferris in the 1911 census of Co. Kerry and the name was there at least as early as 1586. " 2

Early History of the Ferguson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ferguson research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1571, 1750, 1809 and 1828 are included under the topic Early Ferguson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ferguson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Fergus, O'Fergus, Fargus, O'Fargus, Ferris, Ferguson and many more.

Early Notables of the Ferguson family

Father Cormac O'Fergus, who went from Cork to Lisbon, Portugal in 1571. He was imprisoned while preaching at Clonmel. Richard Ferris (1750-1828), was an Irish ex-priest, spy, politician and businessman...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ferguson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ferguson World Ranking

the United States, the name Ferguson is the 156^th most popular surname with an estimated 146,733 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Ferguson is ranked the 115^th most popular surname with an estimated 25,988 people with that name. 4 And in Australia, the name Ferguson is the 108^th popular surname with an estimated 24,611 people with that name. 5 New Zealand ranks Ferguson as 156^th with 3,239 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Ferguson as 157^th with 33,552 people. 7

Ferguson migration to the United States +

Ferguson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Elizabeth Ferguson, who landed in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1630 9
Daniel Ferguson, who settled in New England in 1651
Agnes Ferguson, who landed in New Jersey in 1685 9
Elspeth Ferguson, who landed in New Jersey in 1685 9
Gilbert Ferguson, who arrived in East New Jersey in 1685 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ferguson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Henry Ferguson, who landed in Maryland in 1716 9
Lawrence Ferguson, who landed in Virginia in 1716 9
Finlow Ferguson, who arrived in South Carolina in 1716 9
Duncan Ferguson, who arrived in Maryland in 1716 9
Duncan Ferguson, who settled in Virginia in 1716
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ferguson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Ferguson, who arrived in America in 1805 9
Andw Ferguson, who landed in America in 1805 9
Thomas Ferguson, who arrived in America in 1805 9
Matthew Ferguson, who arrived in America in 1811 9
Robert Ferguson, who arrived in America in 1811 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ferguson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Marie Ferguson, aged 19, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England 10
Annie Ferguson, aged 37, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Adriatic" from Southampton, England 10

Ferguson migration to Canada +

Ferguson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Ferguson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Henry Ferguson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Mr. Alexander Ferguson U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 he is listed with the Loyalists and Disbanded Soldiers whose names appear as Passamaquoddy New Brunswick Loyalists 11
Mr. Alexander Ferguson U.E. who settled in Eastern District, Cornwall, Ontario c. 1784 11
Mr. Farrington Ferguson U.E. who settled in Marysburgh [Prince Edward County], Ontario c. 1784 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ferguson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Ferguson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1815
Robert Ferguson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1815
James Ferguson, aged 33, Scottish mason who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1815 with his wife
John Ferguson, aged 50, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Dorothy" in 1815
Catherine Ferguson, aged 42, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Dorothy" in 1815
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ferguson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Third Fleet

Mr. John Ferguson, (b. 1758), aged 29, English settler convicted in Exeter, Devon on 20th March 1786, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Charlotte" leaving on 13th May 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 22nd January 1788 8
Mr. John (James) Ferguson, British midshipman on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMS Sirius" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788

Following the Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Ferguson Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Miss Frances Ferguson, (Grosvenor), English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12

Ferguson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr.Andrew Ferguson, British settler who was convicted in Southampton, Hampshire, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Fortune" on 31st October 1812, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. George Ferguson, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. George Ferguson, (b. 1802), aged 18, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Caledonia" on 5th July 1820, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1868 15
Mr. John Ferguson, British Convict who was convicted in Newark-on-Trent (Newark upon Trent), Lincolnshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
John Ferguson, a weaver, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ferguson migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Ferguson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Donald Ferguson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Blenheim
J Ferguson, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
John Ferguson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Blenheim
Donald Ferguson, aged 36, a miller, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
Mary Ferguson, aged 35, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Ferguson (post 1700) +

John W. Ferguson (1953-2025), known professionally as Cool John Ferguson, American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, released five albums under his own name and played on around 20 others
James Elliott Ferguson II (1942-2025), American lawyer, involved in the Wilmington Ten, a case that involved America’s first political prisoners of conscience, as declared by Amnesty International, forty years later, secured pardons for the defendants
Renee Ferguson (1949-2025), American news reporter, and long-time journalist for WMAQ, first African-American woman to work as an investigative reporter in Chicago
Lena Lorraine Santos Ferguson (1928-2004), American secretary and civil rights advocate
James Ferguson (1959-2025), American anthropologist, known for his work on the politics and anthropology of international development, specifically his critical stance (development criticism), chair of the Anthropology Department at Stanford University (2003-2025)
Charles Edward "Charley" Ferguson (1939-2023), American AFL tight end with the Buffalo Bills and NFL player with the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings
Jaylon O’Neal Ferguson (1995-2022), American football outside linebacker and defensive end of the National Football League (NFL); he died in Baltimore on June 21, 2022, aged 26
Art Ferguson (1944-2016), known professionally as Charlie Tuna, American radio personality and game show announcer
Helaman Rolfe Pratt Ferguson (b. 1940), American sculptor and digital artist
... (Another 33 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Ferguson family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Mark W Ferguson (1966-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Kingsport, Tennessee, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 17
Mr. James A Ferguson (1955-1985), American Sergeant from Orange Park, Florida, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 18
Mr. Ronald Ferguson, British Marconi Operator from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 18
A. C. Ferguson, Canadian Third Class Passenger from Montreal, Quebec, Canada who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland (1914) 19
Mr. George A. Ferguson, Canadian Government Railway Worker from who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 20
... (Another 15 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/caledonia
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance