Scottish Clans
Ferguson Tartans & Clan
The boars' heads which appear on most shields of the Ferguson family signify the connection with the early Scots of Dalriada who travelled from Ireland to Argyll.
Who Wears Ferguson Tartan? - Associated Names
First of all to explain why there are so many tartans, way over 2000 in fact. There are an awful lot of Scottish clans to start with and on top of this each clan can have many different tartans and names associated with it.
- Fergie
- Fergus
- Fergusson
- Ferries
- Forgie
- Keddie
- Kiddie
- Macadie
- MacFergus
- MacKeddie
- MacKerras
- MacKersey
- Fergushill
- Ferrie
- Ferris
- Farris
- Forgan
- Grevsack
- Hardie
- Hardy
- Keddle
- Kidd
- Kydd
- MacCade
- MacErries
- MacFergus
- MacFhearguis
- MacFirries
- MacHerries
- MacInlay
- MacIrish
- MacKadie
- MacKestan
- MacKiddie
- MacMagnus
- MacTaver
Ferguson Tartans
6 variationsEach tartan can have multiple variations, the most common of which are Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress
About tartan variations
- Ancient
- Modern
- Weathered
- Hunting
- One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if
Ancient Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer colours typical of the Ancient tartans, mossy greens and sky blues, a more orangey red and some would say showing off the pattern to much greater effect as as the contrasts are much brighter than the Modern tartans. The pattern or sett remains the same across all variations of a single tartan, and only the shades or tones vary.
Helpful Advice
Post 1860 chemical dyes replaced the natural animal and vegetable dyes and the Modern Tartans were born with their stronger and bolder colours. The soft greens and blues become bottle green and navy blue, reds are scarlet.
Modern Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer colours typical of the Ancient tartans. Post 1860 chemical dyes replaced the natural animal and vegetable dyes and the Modern Tartans were born with their stronger and bolder colours. The soft greens and blues become bottle green and navy blue, reds are scarlet.
Helpful Advice
The Modern tartans are often the more subtle combinations such as the classic Black Watch Modern
Weathered Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer, more earthy colours typical of the Weathered tartans, reminiscent of bolder colours subjected to wind, rain and sunshine producing beautiful faded tones, olive greens and browns, and very light blues with reds that are more pink than red.
Helpful Advice
Some mills refer to the Weathered tartans as Muted.
Hunting Tartan
The Hunting Tartans are the camouflage tartans and some clans don't have these variations because they are already predominantly green or brown and don't need amendment to blend in with nature's colours. The Black Watch or Gunn tartans are examples of these, whereas a tartan such as the Fraser is predominantly red and would not provide much cover for men out hunting.
Helpful Advice
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if you need an exact match we suggest you order a swatch to double check.
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if Tartan
The Dress Tartans were designed as the name suggests for celebrations and highland dance. The sett or pattern of the tartan remains the same and the main colour is changed to white, or extra white is added to the pattern to give it a brighter, more "fancy" appearance. The Scots do like to bend the rules and occasionally instead of white thread, yellow is used and this is where the rather wild MacLeod Dress Modern and Barclay Dress Modern came from.
Helpful Advice
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if you need an exact match we suggest you order a swatch to double check.
From the start
Ferguson Clan Origins & History
Explore the history of Ferguson
How it all started
Territories
Much of the early history of Clan Ferguson remains mysterious, as many details have been lost through time and translations, however, it is commonly believed that all Fergusons are descended from an ancient king of the Scots, Fergus mor MacErc.
One early iteration of the family was well established in Argyllshire and the islands of Jura, Islay and Iona by as early as 500 A.D. Another large settlement of Fergusons was formed soon after in Ayrshire, where the clan seat was established in Kilkerran. This sect supposedly came from yet another Royal forebearer: Fergus, Prince of Galloway, the great-great-grandfather of Robert Bruce.
By the 13th century, the Fegusons had spread across Scotland, claiming territories from as far North as Ross-shire to as south as Dumfriesshire.
Clan Chief
The current Clan Ferguson Chief is Sir Adam Fergusson of Kilkerran, 10th Bt. He was born on the 29th of December 1962 and succeeded his father, Sir Charles Fergusson of Kilkerran,9th Bt on the 30th of March 2021.
Where does the name Ferguson come from?
The Ferguson name comes from the Gaelic ‘MacFhearghuis,’ meaning ‘son of the angry’ or ‘son of the bold and proud.’
The Gaelic spelling was anglicised through multiple translations, leading to a wide variety of offshoot names. As the ‘f’ and the ‘g’ were silent in old Gaelic pronunciation, variations such as ‘MacErries,’ ‘MacHerries.’ And ‘MacKerras’ were formed.
By the time that James IV was in power, the anglicized ‘Fergusson’ had all but replaced ‘MacFhearghuis,’ and the more common modern spelling of ‘Ferguson’ was introduced and pushed by record clerks in the late 1500’s.
However, to this day, families in Ayrshire, Dumfries, Argyll and Perthshire are more likely to have retained the old ‘Fergusson’ spelling!
Formerly Barclanachan
13 miles south east of Ayr lies Kilkerran House and Estate, home to a branch of the Kennedys prior to the Fergusson Clan. The first Fergusson in Ayrshire was recorded in 1381 and the family moved to Barclanachan in 1686, now the site of the current mansion house. Sir John Fergusson of Kilkerran acquired the lands through his marriage with Jean Whytefoord, whose father had purchased it from the Kennedys, and he joined the Barclanach and Kilkerran estates and rebuilt the house in 1695. Today it contains the family portraits of eight generations and many relics of former chiefs.
Do Clan Ferguson have a Plant Badge
A plant badge was an emblem that was used to identify members of a clan. It usually took the form of a sprig from a plant, worn behind the clan crest on a hat for men, and at the shoulder of a sash for women. They were used as good luck charms, as well as a handy way to quickly differentiate between friends and foes in battle!
Clan Ferguson's plant badge is poplar, which symbolizes abundance, resilience, and youth in Celtic tradition.
Do Clan Ferguson have a Clan Crest?
The Ferguson crest functioned as a symbol of allegiance used by clan members to show loyalty to their chief and to each other. It is described as ‘upon a chapeau Gules furred Ermine, a bee on a thistle Proper.’ This means that the crest is bordered by a gold frame, and depicts a bee seated on a thistle, both of which are shown in their ‘natural’ colours.
Ferguson History
The Fergusons are descended from Fergus Mor MacErc, an ancient king of Dalriata, an area that encompassed parts of Scotland and Ireland. King Fergus was supposedly descended from the legendary King Arthur, so if you’re a Ferguson, you potentially have multiple royal forebearers!
Clan Ferguson Society
If you are a descendant of Clan Ferguson, you are lucky to have a thriving and well-established society you can join to learn more about your heritage and connect with other members! The society list their aims as: to cultivate a spirit of kinship among clansfolk, to render aid to clansfolk should they meet with adversity, to honor Ferguson heritage, and to collect and preserve literary, historical and genealogical records relating to the history of the Clan.
Clan Ferguson War Cry
Clan Ferguson have one main war cry: 'Clann Fhearghuis gu brath!' which means 'Clan Ferguson forever!' Simple, but effective! Having explored how the family managed to claim territory across such vast stretches of Scotland, and how they continue to make a name for themselves today, we'd say it's both accurate and well-deserved.
What is Featured on the Clan Ferguson Coat of Arms?
A coat of arms is a heraldic badge worn to show allegiance to a certain family or clan. The Ferguson Arms is described as Azure, a buckle Argent between three boars’ heads, couped Or. This means that three boars’ heads, cleanly separated from their bodies, are displayed against a blue, silver, and gold background. The boars' heads indicate a connection with the early Scots of Dalriada, who travelled to Argyll from Ireland.
Do Ferguson have a tartan?
If you're looking for a Ferguson tartan, you'll find yourself spoiled for choice! We stock modern, ancient, weathered, balquhidder, hebridean, and old ancient variations. Each of these offers a different strength and tone of colour, so you're sure to find one that will suit you!
We have many items you can choose from, from flat caps to kilts to brogues. With all these options, you’re sure to find the perfect piece to help you connect with your mighty ancestors!
Hamilton Bloodline
There is some evidence that links the Ayrshire and Dumfries Fergusons to Fergus, Prince of Galloway, an important figure in the reigns of David I and Malcolm IV. He was famous for his work conserving and creating significant cultural and religious buildings, as he restored the church at Whithorn and founded the Abbey of Dundrennan. This bloodline further solidified the Fergusons’ noble status, as the Earls of Carrick descended from Prince Fergus.
Loch Lubnaig
One branch of Fergusons set up home on the banks of Loch Lubnaig almost six centuries ago.
Loch Lubnaig is a small freshwater loch near Callander, Stirling. It forms part of the well-loved Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
The name is derived from the Gaelic Lùbnaig, which means ‘crooked,’ and as with many Highland lochs, it is heartening to see that its name today is almost identical to its Gaelic version.
It is nestled between two stunning mountains, Ben Ledi and Benvane to the south-west and Ben Vorlich to the north-east, and is fed by the River Balvaig from the north and drained by the Garbh Uisge to the south.
It is a popular leisure spot for locals and tourists alike; you can purchase a permit to fish for wild salmon, trout, and course fish, or hire canoes to take to the water. There is also a stretch of the National Cycle Network's 'Route 7' that runs through the site, allowing cyclists and walkers to travel the 9 scenic miles between Callander and Strathyre.
It’s not hard to imagine the early Fergusons living their life in similar harmony with the loch!
The Formidable Fergusons
One famous Ferguson fighter was Robert Ferguson, a presbyterian minister, conspirator, and political pamphleteer, also known as ‘the plotter,’ who was one of the chief planners of the Rye House Plot.
Ferguson was a devout protestant who worried about the king’s catholic sympathies and endeavoured to remove him from power. He knew that Charles II and his brother, James the Duke of York, were planning to travel together from the horse races at Newmarket to a royal residence in London on the 1st of April 1683, so he planned to ambush the pair, hoping to catch them by surprise.
Ferguson and his men plotted to stage the attack at Rye House, a mansion they expected the king to stop at on his journey, which belonged to Richard Rumbold, a republican who had fought for Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War. However, luckily for Charles and his brother, there was a huge fire in Newmarket, where the horse races were taking place, so they returned to London several days earlier than intended, unwittingly skirting the assassination plan.
A few months later, one of Ferguson’s co-conspirators alerted the King to the failed plot, prompting Ferguson to flee to the Netherlands. Nevertheless, he continued his political scheming, taking a key role in organizing the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, which aimed to remove Charles’ brother, James, from the throne.
What is Clan Fergusons other Plant Badge?
Clan Ferguson also recognise Little Sunflower as their plant badge. Sunflowers symbolise unwavering faith and unconditional love, a perfect choice for this noble clan.
Clan Ferguson
Famous Faces
We've really enjoyed exploring the lives of some of Clan Ferguson's most notable members this month, and we hope you will too.
Read our Famous Faces of Clan Ferguson blog to find out more about the poet who inspired the mighty Burns, one of the world's best football managers, the star of a hit American TV show and more!
Clan Ferguson
Tartan Poll
With 6 tartan variants to choose from, the Ferguson Clan is truly spoilt for choice. But which is your favourite Ferguson Clan Tartan? Vote now!
Clan Ferguson
Famous Places
Experience the landscapes that formed a backdrop to the Ferguson’s dramatic lives and explore your heritage by organising a trip to one of these scenic locations in the stunning Scottish countryside.
Top 5 Facts
Clan Ferguson
Learn about the clan's origin, royal links and a special Scottish poet. This is a legendary Scottish clan steeped in history!
ScotlandShop on the Sofa
Clan Ferguson
Discover the interesting history of Clan Ferguson, including Clan links to the ancient King Fergus Mor MacErc . We explore some of the famous sites linked to Clan Ferguson, including the beautiful Kilkerran.
Clan Ferguson
Quiz
How much do you think you know about Clan Ferguson? Enough to get all 12 questions correct? Test your Ferguson Clan Knowledge now!
Clan Motto: Dulcius Ex Asperis (Sweeter After Difficulties).
