Show ContentsFerier History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient Scottish name Ferier was first used by someone who worked as a person who equipped horses. The ferrier was involved in the equipping of horses, from harness to shoes. This occupation was similar to that of the English blacksmith, however, the ferrier also fashioned the leather pieces of the harness. This occupation was extremely important in the Middle Ages, as horses were the primary mode of transportation. Ferier is therefore, an occupational surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Occupational surnames were derived from the primary activity of the bearer. In the Middle Ages, people did not generally live off of the fruits of their labor in a particular job. Rather, they performed a specialized task, as well as farming, for subsistence. Other occupational names were derived from an object associated with a particular activity.

Early Origins of the Ferier family

The surname Ferier was first found in Forfarshire part of the Tayside region of North Eastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, where they held a family seat from early times.

Early History of the Ferier family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ferier research. Another 151 words (11 lines of text) covering the year 1301 is included under the topic Early Ferier History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ferier Spelling Variations

In the era before dictionaries, there were no rules governing the spelling or translation of names or any other words. Consequently, there are an enormous number of spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names. Ferier has appeared as Ferrier, Ferriers, Ferrair, Ferryar, Feriar, Ferier and many more.

Early Notables of the Ferier family

More information is included under the topic Early Ferier Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Ferier migration to the United States +

The freedom, opportunity, and land of the North American colonies beckoned. There, Scots found a place where they were generally free from persecution and where they could go on to become important players in the birth of new nations. Some fought in the American War of Independence, while others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these Scottish settlers have been able to recover their lost national heritage in the last century through highland games and Clan societies in North America. Among them:

Ferier Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • A Ferier, aged 32, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1843 1


The Ferier Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Diligentia ditat
Motto Translation: Industry renders rich.


  1. 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)


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