Ferguson Coat of Arms, Family Crest and Ferguson Family History

Ferguson Family History

The family history of the ancient name Ferguson was found in the irishsurnames.com archives.

Surnames developed a wide number of variants over the centuries. Many different spelling variations of the same name can be traced back to a single original root. Also, when a bearer of a name emigrated from Ireland it was not uncommon that their original name would be incorrectly transcribed in the record books upon arrival at their new location. Some names have dozens of spelling variations. Some Surnames were also altered over the years based on how they sounded phonetically, by their sound, and depending on the prevailing political conditions it may have been advantageous to change a name from one language to another. This was especially so in Ireland where most Gaelic names were 'anglicized' at some stage.

Variants of the name Ferguson include Fergusson, Farguson, Fargusson, Fargie and Fergie. The Fergusons are of Scottish Celtic origin. They were long settled in Argyll where the Chiefs of the Clan Fhearghuis of Strachur were hereditary Maers of Glenshellich. Fergusson of Dunfallandy has long been Chief of the Fergussons in Atholl. Two of the Clan, sons of Laird of Badyfarow, near Inverury, figured prominently. 'Robert and Plotter', concerned in the Ryehouse Plot, escaped detection and died in 1714. James, a major General, served under Marlborough at Blenheim. The Fergussons, Baronets of Kilkerran, have held lands in Ayrshire since the reign of Robert I. Sir William Ferguson, FRS, was an illustrious member of the Clan. 'Annie Laurie' heroine of the song, was wife of Ferguson of Craigdarroch. In Ireland Ferguson is often found in Ulster Province having been introduced there from Scotland during the seventeenth century.The Ferguson family crest (or coat of arms) came into existence many centuries ago. The process of creating these coats of arms began as early as the eleventh century although a form of Proto-Heraldry may have existed in some countries prior to this, including Ireland. The new more formalized art of Heraldry made it possible for families and even individual family members to have their very own family crest, coat of arms, including Ferguson descendants.