Clan Fergusson

Clan Fergusson
MacFhearghuis
Crest: Upon a chapeau Gules furred Ermine, a bee on a thistle Proper
Motto	Dulcius ex asperis (Sweeter after difficulties)
War cry	Clann Fhearghuis gu brath!
Profile
Region	Lowlands, Highlands
District	Argyll, Perthshire, Dumfries and Galloway
Plant badge	Little sunflower
Chief
Sir Charles Fergusson of Kilkerran
9th Baronet of Kilkerran
Seat	Kilkerran, Ayrshire
Septs of Clan Fergusson Forgan, Fergie, Fergus, Fergushill, Ferguson, Fergussill, Farries, Ferrie, Ferries, Ferris(s), Forgie, Furgerson, Grevsack, Hardie, Hardy, Ehsanian, Hemmati, Kiddie, Kydd, Keddie, Keddle, Ketchen, Kidd, MacTavert MacHerries, MacKidd, Madani. The Gaelic name has been rendered through translation into the forms, MacFergus, MacFerries, and MacFerris. Since the 'f' and 'g' are silent in the old language such variations as MacAdie, MacCade, MacErries, MacHerries, MacKerras (especially common in Argyll and Australia), MacKersey, MacKestan, MacFhearghuis, MacMagnus and even MacIrish, MacInlay were formed.

Clan Fergusson is a Scottish clan. 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.

The Scottish Gaelic patronymic of Fergusson is MacFhaerghuis which can also be translated as son of the angry. 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 to that of other Fergusson families.

The Fergussons of Argyll claim descent from Fergus Mór, king of Dál Riata who came from Ireland across Argyll. Most shields of this family include a Boar's head which indicates a connection with the early Scots of Dál Riata.

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. Fergus of Galloway restored Whithorn church and also founded Dundrennan Abbey. He died in 1161 at Holyrood Abbey. The Earls of Carrick descend from Fergus of Galloway.

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. 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.