The Clan History

The name Ferguson is an Anglicization of the Gaelic "Macfhearghus", son of Fergus a personal name of old Celtic origin. Although often considered as one clan, there are at least four main families of this name spread throughout the country in Argyllshire, Ayrshire, Fife, Perthshire and Aberdeenshire. Of the Highland Fergusons, those from Argyll, held the estate of Glenshellich and were hereditary sheriffs of Strachur, following the Campbells. In the roll of 1587, they are named as among the septs of Mar and Athole, where their proper seat as a clan originally lay, having chiefs and captains of their own. The family sold the lands in 1801 to meet debts and the direct line is now extinct. In Perthshire, there were Fergusons in Atholl and Balquhidder who in keeping with many of their neighbouring clans (e.g. MacGregors) were of constant trouble to the King's authority. However many Perthshire Fergusons were strong supporters of the Stuart cause and fought under Montrose, Bonnie Dundee and with the Atholl Brigade at Culloden. On the other hand, many of those from Argyll, Aberdeenshire and the Lowlands supported the Hanoverian cause often fighting opposite their namesakes. Although the Fergussons of Kilkerran were technically Lowland and unrelated to the Highland Fergusons, the head of the family began to be regarded as senior from the 18th century onwards. Today Fergusson of Kilkerran is regarded as chief of the whole name. One of the most distinguished soldiers of this century was Sir Bernard Ferguson, 1st Lord Ballantrae and Governor-General of New Zealand from 1962 to 1967.

Motto: Dulcius ex aspersis - "Sweeter out of difficulties".
Badge: A bee atop a thistle.
Septs of the Clan: Fergus, Ferries, Hardie, MacAdie, MacFergus, MacKerras, MacKersey.
Names associated with the clan: Fergusson of Atholl - CEDDY KIDDY KIDDIE KEDE KADY KADIE KEDIE KEDDY KEDDIE KEDDE KEADIE MACADE MACADIE MACADA MACADAIDH MACAID MACADDIE MACCADIE MACCHADDY MACEDDIE MACKADIE MACKIDDIE MACKEDDEY MACKEDY MACKEDDIE Fergusson - FERGOWSONE FERGIE FERGUS FERGESON FERESOUN FERES FERGUSON FERGUSONE FERGUSSON FURGUSON FERRES FERRIES FERRIS FERGUSSOUN FERGOUSOUNE FARGUESOUN FARGISONE FARGUSSOUN FARGUSONE FAIRES FARGESOUN FORGUSOUN KERSEY MACCERSIE MACFARGUS MACFERGUS MACHERRES MACHERRIES MACKARAS MACKERAS MACKERRIS MACKERAISH MACKEARSIE MACKERSEY MACKERSY MACKERRAS MACKERSIE MACKEARASS MACKEARROIS PHERES PHIRES FARRIE FARRIES MACCORVIE MACCORWIS MACFERRIES FORGIE FEARGIE FARGIE