UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from the given name "Fergus", meaning "man from Fergus".
In the 1881 census there were 35 people recorded with the Fergerson surname, ranking it #28,715 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 13, ranked #37,278, down from #28,715 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Newcastle St Andrew, Wolverhampton and Ardchattan and Muckairn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fergerson is 130 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 62.9%.
1881 census count
35
Ranked #28,715
Modern count
13
2016, ranked #37,278
Peak year
1891
130 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Fergerson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Fergerson 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 | 32 | #27,570 |
| 1861 | historical | 117 | #18,635 |
| 1881 | historical | 35 | #28,715 |
| 1891 | historical | 130 | #20,173 |
| 1901 | historical | 40 | #29,678 |
| 1911 | historical | 56 | #27,216 |
| 1997 | modern | 6 | #37,704 |
| 1998 | modern | 5 | #37,861 |
| 1999 | modern | 7 | #37,513 |
| 2000 | modern | 4 | #38,004 |
| 2001 | modern | 6 | #37,456 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 3 | #38,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 8 | #37,346 |
| 2005 | modern | 10 | #37,180 |
| 2006 | modern | 9 | #37,345 |
| 2007 | modern | 9 | #37,435 |
| 2008 | modern | 8 | #37,597 |
| 2009 | modern | 16 | #36,850 |
| 2010 | modern | 18 | #36,774 |
| 2011 | modern | 16 | #36,932 |
| 2012 | modern | 11 | #37,394 |
| 2013 | modern | 10 | #37,539 |
| 2014 | modern | 11 | #37,462 |
| 2015 | modern | 11 | #37,467 |
| 2016 | modern | 13 | #37,278 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Newcastle St Andrew, Wolverhampton, Ardchattan and Muckairn, Chesterfield and Liverpool. 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 | Newcastle St Andrew | Northumberland |
| 2 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Ardchattan and Muckairn | Argyll |
| 4 | Chesterfield | Derbyshire |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Fergerson 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 Fergerson, 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 Fergerson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Fergerson 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, Fergerson 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 Fergerson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Fergerson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Fergerson is of Scottish origin, with its roots dating back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Fearghas," meaning "man of force" or "virile." The name is believed to have originated in the Highlands of Scotland, particularly in the regions of Argyll and the Western Isles.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1565, where a certain "Johne Fergusone" is mentioned. These rolls were important financial records maintained by the Scottish government, providing valuable insights into the presence of surnames during that period.
In the 17th century, the name appears in the Scottish Hearth Tax Rolls of 1691, which recorded households and their occupants for taxation purposes. This document references a "William Fergerson" residing in the parish of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.
The Fergerson surname is also associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Robert Fergerson (1707-1774), a Scottish merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Aberdeen. Another was William Fergerson (1784-1842), a Scottish-born farmer and soldier who served in the War of 1812 and later settled in Upper Canada (now Ontario).
In the realm of literature, John Fergerson (1826-1896) was a Scottish poet and author, known for his works such as "The Hamesucken" and "The Braes o' Gleniffer." His contemporary, James Fergerson (1832-1907), was a Scottish-American journalist and editor who worked for various publications in New York City.
Another notable bearer of the Fergerson name was Mary Fergerson (1858-1932), a Scottish-born social reformer and suffragist who campaigned for women's rights and education in Australia. She was instrumental in establishing the Women's Christian Temperance Union in New South Wales.
The Fergerson surname has also been linked to various place names in Scotland, such as Fergushill near Kilwinning, and Fergus Hill in Aberdeenshire. These locations may have played a role in the development and spread of the surname throughout the country.
While the Fergerson name originated in Scotland, it has since been carried by individuals across the globe, reflecting the migration patterns and cultural diversity of the Scottish diaspora. However, it remains rooted in its Scottish heritage and the rich history of the Gaelic language and customs.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fergerson 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. Cumberland leads with 8 Fergersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.46x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | 8 | 26.46x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 2.28x |
| Lancashire | 7 | 1.68x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 1.44x |
| Denbighshire | 2 | 15.08x |
| Norfolk | 2 | 3.70x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 4.71x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 1.29x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.88x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 23.92x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Caldewgate in Cumberland leads with 8 Fergersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 481.93x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Caldewgate | 8 | 481.93x |
| Islington London | 5 | 14.69x |
| Leeds | 4 | 20.36x |
| Ditton | 3 | 1764.71x |
| St Dunstan In West London | 2 | 1818.18x |
| Walsoken | 2 | 625.00x |
| Wrexham Regis | 2 | 202.02x |
| Birkenhead | 1 | 16.18x |
| Emley | 1 | 625.00x |
| Fulham London | 1 | 19.65x |
| Govan | 1 | 3.56x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 3.95x |
| Moss Side | 1 | 45.66x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 27.93x |
| Salford | 1 | 8.16x |
| Stoke Poges | 1 | 384.62x |
| Wigan | 1 | 17.18x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Fergerson 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 Fergerson 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 Fergerson households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Cotton Winder | 2 |
| A B | 1 |
| Agri. Labr. | 1 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Chemist | 1 |
| Commercial Clerk Chemical (Mkr) | 1 |
| Commercial Clerk Chemical Wife | 1 |
| Domestic | 1 |
| Draper | 1 |
| Gardeners Labourer | 1 |
| Gen Dom Serv | 1 |
| Genl Dealer | 1 |
| Parlourmaid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Passenger | 1 |
| Pauper | 1 |
| Servant Domestic | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 35 people were recorded with the Fergerson surname. That placed it at #28,715 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 13 in 2016. That gives Fergerson a modern rank of #37,278.
A Scottish surname derived from the given name "Fergus", meaning "man from Fergus".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Fergerson 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.