Clan Fergusson
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Clan Fergusson is a Scottish clan.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson">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.</ref> Known as the Sons of Fergus they have spread across Scotland from as far as Ross-shire in the north to Dumfriesshire in the south.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/>
History
Origins
The Scottish Gaelic patronymic of Fergusson is MacFhearghuis which can also be translated as son of the angry.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/> There is a tradition that attributes a common ancestry to the various distinct families bearing the name of Fergusson, however there is no evidence to support this and the heraldry of the chief's family is significantly different from that of other Fergusson families.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/>
The Fergussons of Argyll claim descent from Fergus Mór, king of Dál Riata who came from Ireland across Argyll.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/> Most shields of this family include a Boar's head which indicates a connection with the early Scots of Dál Riata.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/>
There is evidence that links the Fergussons of Ayrshire and Dumfries with Fergus of Galloway, who was an important figure during the reigns of David I of Scotland and Malcolm IV of Scotland.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/> Fergus of Galloway restored Whithorn church and also founded Dundrennan Abbey.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/> He died in 1161 at Holyrood Abbey.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/> The Earls of Carrick descend from Fergus of Galloway.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/>
The Fergussons held lands at Kilkerran from probably the 12th century, although the first certain record is that of John Fergusson of Kilkerran in 1464.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/> This John Fergusson may have been descended from John, son of Fergus who was a witness to a charter of Edward Bruce, which was signed in 1314 after the Battle of Bannockburn.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/>
There were Fergussons all over southern Carrick by 1600, who all acknowledged Fergusson of Kilkerran as their clan chief.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/>
17th century and Civil War
The Clan Fergusson allied themselves with the Clan Kennedy chiefs, the Earls of Cassillis in their feud against the Kennedy Lairds of Bargany.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/> The Fergussons were part of John Kennedy, 5th Earl of Cassilis's band in 1601 when a skirmish took place at Maybole where the Kennedy Laird of Bargany was killed.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/>
The Ayrshire Fergussons adopted the Protestant faith during Protestant Reformation whilst Sir John Fergusson of Kilkerran fought for the royalists during the Scottish Civil War.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/>
18th century
Sir John Fergusson, who was born in about 1653 was a distinguished lawyer and a member of the Faculty of Advocates. In 1703 he was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/> In 1735 his son, James Fergusson became a judge of the Supreme Court and was given the title Lord Kilkerran.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/> General Sir Charles Fergusson, the 7th Baronet served in the British Army for almost forty years.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Fergusson"/>
Clan Chief
- Clan Chief: Sir Adam Fergusson of Kilkerran, 10th Bt., Chief of the Name and Arms of Fergusson.<ref name="burkes-peerage">FERGUSSON OF KILKERRAN, CHIEF OF FERGUSSON Retrieved on 8 July 2023</ref>
- Clan Chief's Arms: Azure a buckle Argent between three boars' heads couped close Or.
Tartans
- Tartans:
- Fergusson (of Atholl)
- Fergusson of Balquhidder
- Ferguson Dress
See also
- Ferguson (name) - list of famous Fergusons
- Scottish clan