William Mathew and Martha McKerley Ferguson Clan
For more information on this clan, contact Marylou Anderson
EMAIL
www.ferguson-clan.com
Coat of Arms
Ferguson (Fergusson) Tartan
Fergusson or Ferguson tartan which is now generally worn, dates from before
1850, when it was reproduced by Thomas Smibert in his book "The clans of the
Highlands of Scotland" It can be manufactured in lighter shades styled by the
tailors "Ancient" as well as the darker colours. However the cut is the same.
Ferguson Clan Crest The armorial badge which all members of the Clan are entitled to wear, embodies
the Crest of the Chief and consists of a bee on a thistle encircled with a
strap and buckle, bearing the motto "Dulcius ex asperis" (Sweeter out of
difficulties).The plant badge, which may be worn in the bonnet or pinned on the
dress, is a sprig of Poplar.
Gaelic Name: MacFhearhuis
Motto: Dulcis ex asperis
Motto Translation Sweeter After Difficulties
Badge: Little Sunflower
Crest Badge: A bee on a thistle all proper
Lands: Argyle, Perthshire, Dumfries and Galloway
Origin of Name: Gaelic, Fearghas (super choice)
The name Fergusson sprang to life in many, widely spread parts of Scotland. Ideally the name could be traced back so as to bring the families together to a single ancestral family, but when we consider that the name Fergus in Gaelic means "the angry" and "the bold and proud", we can appreciate that such a descriptive term would have been applied to someone at some time in almost every village.
CLAN FERGUS(S)ON
SEPTS
Ferguson Fergusson Forgan Fergie Fergus Fergushill Fergussill Ferrie Ferries Ferris(s) Forgie Grevsack Hardie Hardy Kiddie Kydd Keddie Keddle Ketchen Kidd MacInlay MacIrish MacAdie MacKeddie MacCade MacKerras MacErries MacKersey MacFergus MacKestan MacFhearghuis MacMagnus MacFirries MacTavert MacHerries
GAELIC NAME
MacFhearghuis
THE CLAN & THE NAME OF FERGUSON or FERGUSSON
No single or common origin has ever been traced for the name of Ferguson or Fergusson which from very early times was established in many parts of Scotland, throughout the Central Highlands, Dumfriesshire, Ayrshire, Fife, Angus and Aberdeenshire, and in corners as remote as the burghs of Dunbar and Tain.
Its original Gaelic form MacFhearghuis or MacFergus has been spelled McKerras, anglicised as Ferguson or Fergusson, and shortened in Fergus, Ferrar, Ferrie, Ferries, Ferris and Ferriss, corrupted into other forms like Fergushill and Fergie, and the Sept Macadie with variations of Kiddie and Keddie.
There is a legendary first ancestor in Fergus Mor mac Erc, a very early King of Scots in Argyll, and a more probable one in Fergus Prince of Galloway who died in 1161.
All that is known for certain is the Fergussons have always been a widely
scattered name and in the pre-union Kingdom of Scotland were never regarded as
a single coherent clan, as for example the Campbells, Camerons or Macgregors,
although "Fergussonis" appear among the small clans of Atholl in an official
list of the Border and Highland clans in 1587. On the other hand in some
districts, groups of families bearing the name recognised certain Fergusson
lairds as their Chieftains; e.g. Kilkerran in Carrick, Dunfallandy in Atholl
and Craigdarroch in Dumfriesshire. The Fergussons in the Cowal district of
Argyll, like many small bodies of other names looked to the Earl of Argyll as
their protector.There were scattered but numerous Fergussons in Balquhidder,
Strathyre, Fife and Stirlingshire, and a large number in Aberdeenshire and
Angus.The different spellings of the name are of no significance and in former
days depended on individual choice. Today it would depend on family tradition.
The history of these different groups is naturally interwoven with that of the
particular districts to which they belonged. The Fergussons of Carrick shared
in the great feud between the rival Kennedy houses of Cassillis and Bargany
about 1600, adhering to the Earl of Cassillis. Both they and the Dumfriesshire
Fergussons mostly supported the cause of the National Covenant a generation
later and opposed the rule of Charles 11 and Lauderdale in the "Killing Times"
Most of the highland Fergussons, except those in Argyll, supported the exiled
Stuarts, and many of them were out in the "Forty Five" on the Jacobite side.
In the more peaceful days following the Union, various Fergusson lairds are
found prominent among the "improving lairds" who helped improve the face of
rural Scotland, and win its widespread reputation for progressive agriculture, stockbreeding and afforestation. At Kilkerran in Carrick, Baledmund in
Perthshire and Raith in Fife these traditions are still carried on.
THE CHIEF
The head of the family of Fergusson of Kilkerran has always been recognised
since the early 18th century as the Chief of the name of Fergusson. The present
chief is Sir Charles Fergusson of Kilkerran, 9th Baronet.
Ferguson of Dunfallandy has also been granted by the Lord Lyon King of Arms
supporters to their branch.
KILKERRAN
The ancestral territory of the Ayrshire Fergussons is the hilly country
stretching south west to the Firth of Clyde, between the Carrick rivers of
Girvan and Stinchar. Till the late Middle Ages this was part of the
semi-independent province of Galloway, and these Fergussons probably derived
their name from Fergus, the Prince of Galloway who died in 1161. and was the
ancestor of the Earls of Carrick.Almost the first known Fergusson in Ayrshire
on record in 1381, bore the traditional surname of "de Carryk" His name was
Henry, and his son Malcolm and grandson John. A contemporary of this John was
Duncan, son of Colin, who is listed as the laird of "Kylkerane" in 1439 and
was presumably the father of John Fergusson of Kilkerran who died in 1483.
These lands of Kilkerran have descended in the same family ever since and at one time stretched from Stinchar, as far north as Moybole.
Kilkerran, the home of the chief's family stood above a retired glen in the
hills, down which a burn runs to join the Water of Girvan at the modern
village of Dailly near the parish church and manse. This strong tower was
probably built around the year 1400 and enlarged before 1550. Part of its
later portion still stands. The family abandoned it in the 17th
century when they made their home in the former Kennedy house of Barclanachan,
bought in 1686, and to which the name Kilkerran was transferred. This was
rebuilt after 1695 by Sir John Fergusson of Kilkerran the first baronet, and
enlarged in 1814 and 1874. It contains the family portraits of eight
generations and many relics of former chiefs.
Looking out over the valley of the Girvan, a rural landscape which has changed
little since the 18th century, Kilkerran has seen several gatherings of the
Clan Fergus(s)on Society.
THE SOCIETY
Membership of the Society is open to any person having a legitimate interest
in the objectives of the Society and paying the current subscription.The
objectives of the Society as laid down in its original Constitution are as
follows: 1. The reviving, conserving and promoting of the interests,
sentiments and associations of the Clan.
2. The collecting and preserving of records, and of traditions relating to the history of the Clan.
3. The encouragement of Celtic education.
4. The assisting of Clansmen in need of financial assistance.
These objectives have the constant attention of the Committee.
The Annual General Meeting of the Society is held on the last Saturday in May,
at which the Accounts for the year are submitted for approval, the rates of
subscription decided and fifteen members elected to form the committee.
MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES
Ian J Ferguson
"Dalveen"
30 Craigmore Road
Orcadia Terrace
Rothesay
Isle of Bute, PA20 9LB
CLAN FERGUS(S)ON CENTRE
The Clan centre is situated in the Bygones Museum, Stronvar House, Balquhidder, Perthshire, FK19 8PB
Open Daily 1 March to 31 October, 10.30 am to 5 pm
The Museum Gift Shop has Clan Souvenirs, Scottish Books and Videos and a host of Scottish gifts.
The Museum Tea Shop in the Laird of Stronvar's Dining Room overlooking Loch Voil and the Braes O'Balquhidder serves beverages and snack meals.
Other related stories and those told by Willaim Mathew and Martha McKerly Ferguson's children and grandchildren:
Article in American Angus Journal
More Articles about the Ferguson/Anderson Legacy
WALT, JR
DOROTHY
MORE PHOTOS
MORE PHOTOS
MY PARENTS
FERGUSON RANCH
WREN ARTICLE
Article in WREN
LT Livestock Hobby Farm
Photos of the ladies
Pappa & Gramma
Anderson LT Livestock
FERGUSON CLAN HISTORY
LINKS TO HISTORY
Have a great day!
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