Fergus (name)

Fergus or Feargus is a common and one of the oldest known Scottish or Irish male given name derived from Old Irish, meaning "the strong (one)" or "the masculine (one)".[1][2]

As a surname, Ferguson or Fergusson is common across Scotland but particularly in Perthshire and Ayrshire. In Ireland, the Ferris family of County Kerry derives its surname from the patronymic Ó Fearghusa.

  1. ^ Way, George and Squire, Romily. Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). Published in 1994. Pages 136 - 137.
  2. ^ Macbain, Alexander (1911) [1896], An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language, Inverness: Stirling: Eneas Mackay, p. 168