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.

Given name

English: /ˈfɜːrɡəs/
Irish: [ˈfʲaɾˠəgəsˠ]
Scottish Gaelic: [ˈfɛɾɛɣəs̪]GenderMaleOriginWord/nameProto-CelticMeaning"man-strength, virility".Other namesAlternative spellingFearghus, FearghasRelated namesFearghal, Fergal, Ferris

Saints

  • Saint Fergus

Nobles

  • Fergus the Great (died c. 645), also known as Gwrgan Fawr or Gurgantius, a king of Ergyng, a Welsh kingdom of the early medieval period
  • Fergus mac Echdach, Scottish king of Dál Riata from about 778 to 781
  • Fergus of Galloway (died 1161), Lord of Galloway
  • Fergus, Earl of Buchan (died before 1214)
  • Fergus Morton, Baron Morton of Henryton, judge

Politicians

Writers and academics

Others

Mythological figures

Fictional characters

  • Fergus the Railway Traction Engine, in Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends
  • Fergus Cramer from the Nero Wolfe series
  • Claudel "Fergus" Fraser, a supporting character from Outlander, both in the series of novels and the television adaptation
  • Fergus Fuzz, a main character in the BBC puppet series The Furchester Hotel
  • Fergus Kearney, in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street
  • Fergus MacLeod, real name of Crowley from the TV series Supernatural
  • Fergus McDuck, a Disney character
  • Fergus Shannon, a dog in children's books by David Shannon
  • King Fergus, the leader of the foxes in the German film Der Stürmer
  • King Fergus, father of Princess Merida in the animated film Brave
  • Fergus, a child of Shrek in the animated film Shrek Forever After

Surname

  • Alex Fergus (1899–?), Scottish professional association footballer
  • Dylan Fergus (b. 1980), American actor
  • Greg Fergus (b. 1969), Canadian politician
  • Sir Howard Fergus, Montserratian writer and historian
  • James Fergus (1813–1902), miner, rancher, businessman and politician in Minnesota and Montana
  • John Fergus (politician) (died 1865), British politician
  • John Fergus (scholar) (c. 1700–c. 1761), Irish physician and man of letters
  • Keith Fergus (b. 1954), American professional golfer
  • Oris Fergus, Montserratian cricketer
  • Thomas Fergus (1850–1914), New Zealand politician
  • Tom Fergus (b. 1962), Canadian-raised American retired National Hockey League player

See also

References

  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