UK surname
Scottish surname derived from Fergus, meaning "man of force" or "virile".
In the 1881 census there were 17 people recorded with the Fergason surname, ranking it #31,170 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 7, ranked #37,967, down from #31,170 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Carlisle St Cuthbert, Gateshead and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fergason is 166 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 58.8%.
1881 census count
17
Ranked #31,170
Modern count
7
2016, ranked #37,967
Peak year
1861
166 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Fergason surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Fergason surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 53 | #23,739 |
| 1861 | historical | 166 | #14,039 |
| 1881 | historical | 17 | #31,170 |
| 1891 | historical | 117 | #21,658 |
| 1901 | historical | 23 | #31,466 |
| 1911 | historical | 16 | #31,804 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 2 | #38,551 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 3 | #38,334 |
| 2007 | modern | 4 | #38,169 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 4 | #38,287 |
| 2010 | modern | 4 | #38,371 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 5 | #38,167 |
| 2013 | modern | 5 | #38,195 |
| 2014 | modern | 5 | #38,228 |
| 2015 | modern | 6 | #38,076 |
| 2016 | modern | 7 | #37,967 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Carlisle St Cuthbert, Gateshead, St Pancras, Arthuret and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlisle St Cuthbert | Cumberland |
| 2 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Arthuret | Cumberland |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Fergason surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Fergason, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Fergason surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Fergason household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Fergason is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Fergason is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Fergason, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname FERGASON has its origins in Scotland, where it first appeared in the 13th century. The name is derived from the Gaelic words 'fear' meaning 'man' and 'gasan' meaning 'stem' or 'little shoot', likely referring to a person of slender build or stature. It is believed to have originated in the region of Ayrshire, where it was commonly recorded in medieval records.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the FERGASON name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical document that recorded the names of Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name was spelled as 'Fergussone' in this record, reflecting the more archaic spelling of the time.
In the 15th century, the FERGASON name appeared in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, which documented financial transactions involving the Crown. This suggests that members of the FERGASON family held significant positions or landholdings during this period.
The FERGASON surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was John Fergason (c. 1450-1520), a Scottish clergyman who served as the Bishop of Glasgow from 1509 until his death. Another prominent figure was Robert Fergason (1638-1714), a Scottish philosopher and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of optics.
In the 18th century, the FERGASON name gained prominence with the birth of James Fergason (1728-1792), a Scottish merchant and landowner who acquired substantial wealth through his business ventures. His son, William Fergason (1760-1845), was a renowned agriculturalist and author, known for his work on improving farming practices in Scotland.
Another notable bearer of the FERGASON surname was Sir James Fergason (1832-1907), a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune in the textile industry. He was a prominent figure in the city of Glasgow and was knighted for his contributions to the community.
The FERGASON name has been recorded in various forms throughout history, including Fergusone, Fergussone, and Fergusson, reflecting the evolution of spelling and pronunciation over time. While the name originated in Scotland, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and immigration.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fergason surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 6 Fergasons recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.20x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 6 | 11.20x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 2.04x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 1.21x |
| Devon | 1 | 2.90x |
| Dumfriesshire | 1 | 27.32x |
| Durham | 1 | 2.03x |
| Essex | 1 | 3.06x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 4.06x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 6 Fergasons recorded in 1881 and an index of 44.25x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Barony | 6 | 44.25x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 16.75x |
| Beswick | 1 | 200.00x |
| Dawdon | 1 | 163.93x |
| Elswick | 1 | 50.76x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 10.86x |
| Manchester | 1 | 11.31x |
| Moffat | 1 | 588.24x |
| St Anne Soho London | 1 | 105.26x |
| Stoke Damerel | 1 | 41.49x |
| Woodford | 1 | 270.27x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Fergason surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Fergason surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Fergason households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Clerk | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Bugler A.S. Corps | 1 |
| Cook Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| Silk Dyer | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 17 people were recorded with the Fergason surname. That placed it at #31,170 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 7 in 2016. That gives Fergason a modern rank of #37,967.
Scottish surname derived from Fergus, meaning "man of force" or "virile".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Fergason bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.