Surname Furguson - Meaning and Origin

Furguson: What does the surname Furguson mean?

The last name Furguson is derived from the Old Gaelic term 'Fergus', which was the name of the ancient Irish folklore figure Fergus Mor mac Erc. The roots of this name can be traced back as far as the 5th century, when Fergus Mor mac Erc was the founder of the Scottish kingdom of Dal Riada from which the name is derived.

Ferguson is a common Scottish and Irish surname derived from this ancient ancestor and his kingdom. Over time, the Fergus name has been altered and adopted variously as Furguson, Fergusson, Fauckestown and Fauckes.

The name Furguson means 'son of Fergus', or 'son of the mighty one'. It is thought to suggest strength, patriarchal values and loyalty. This was certainly the case with Fergus Mor mac Erc, who fought with King Arthur against the Romans in the 5th century, and with the Vikings in the 9th century.

For those who can trace their ancestors back to Fergus Mor mac Erc, the name Furguson carries a sense of pride and honour. It is a reminder of ancient ties to a leader who fought for freedom and justice in his time.

Furguson: Where does the name Furguson come from?

The last name Furguson is most common today in Scotland and the adjacent regions of England. It is a common surname among the Scottish people and can be found in many different spellings. Records from the late 1700s list Furguson as one of the most popular surnames in Scotland. In the early 1900s, many Furgusons emigrated from Scotland to the United States and Canada.

In the United States, the last name Furguson is found mainly throughout the central and southern regions. It is most common in Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. It is also seen in California, New York, Texas, and Illinois. Family genealogists have traced the Furguson family tree back to a Scottish clan – the Fergusson Clan of Lochaber in the Highlands of Scotland.

In Canada, Furguson is most common in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. As with the United States, many Furgusons emigrated from Scotland to Canada but primarily in the early 1900s.

Overall, Furguson is among the most common surnames today and it derives from a Scottish surname with ancient roots in the Highlands of Scotland. Although it is seen in many parts of the world, its popularity continues to be strongest among the Scottish people both in Scotland and in the regions where they have settled around the world.

Variations of the surname Furguson

The surname Ferguson is derived from the Scottish and Irish surname MacFergus or Macfergus. It is a patronymic name from the Gaelic personal name Fergus, which means "man of strength." The surname Ferguson has several variants, including Fergusson, Fergus, Fergie, Fergusen, Furguson, Farguson, Fergesson, Fergusin, and Fergusoun.

In Scotland, the variant spellings of Ferguson have existed since at least the 13th century. The clan of Fergusson is associated with the Philander family, who trace their roots to the 11th century. The seal of John Fergusson of Ochiltree in Ayrshire, dates back to 1312. The Fergus surname and its variants can be found in the western Highlands of Scotland.

In Ireland, the surname Fergusson originally had the Gaelic spelling of "Macfhearghais," and later variations included MacFergus, Fergus, MacFarlane, and of course Ferguson. The Fergus clan of Scotland was also prominent in Northern Ireland in County Antrim - MacFergus and Fergusson are still common in the area.

The Ferguson surname can be found all over the English-speaking world. The first person of the name to settle in America was Captain Alexander Fergusson, the ancestral head of the Virginia branch of the Fergussons. The name is also very common in Canada and Australia, and in the United Kingdom the Ferguson name is particularly widespread in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Yorkshire.

Famous people with the name Furguson

• Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York: Sarah Ferguson, also known as Fergie, is a former member of the British royal family and the former wife of Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.
• Stan Furguson: Stan Furguson is an American jazz musician who plays trumpet and cornet. He has appeared with a variety of bands, including Enrique Bell's New Orleans Jazz Band, Trombone Shorty's Voodoo Threauxdown, and the Midnite Ramblers.
• Tom Ferguson: Tom Ferguson is an American actor and voice actor. He is best known for providing the voices of Skeleton in the Tim Burton film Corpse Bride and of Ollie in the animated television series Recess.
• Ian Fergusson: Ian Fergusson is an English former footballer who played as a defender for a variety of teams in the 1970s and 1980s, including Exeter City, Derby County, and Oxford United.
• Donald Furguson: Donald Furguson is a British poet and author of books for children. He has written several books for younger and older children, including Once Upon a Time in England, The Momentous Journey, and Big City Rumble.
• Eric Furguson: Eric Furguson is an American country music singer-songwriter. He has released several self-published singles and EPs, including "Burning to Death" and "Fading Away".
• Emma Furguson: Emma Furguson is an Australian actress, best known for her roles in Australian television shows such as All Saints, Home & Away, and Winners & Losers.

Other surnames

Furgus