Surname MacFergus - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacFergus: What does the surname MacFergus mean?
The last name MacFergus is Scottish in origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Fergus", which means "man-strength" or "virility". The prefix "Mac" is also Gaelic, meaning "son of". Therefore, MacFergus essentially means "son of Fergus" or "son of the virile man". This type of surname is known as a patronymic, as it derives from the first name of a male ancestor. The name Fergus itself is very old, dating back to early Irish legends and histories, and was particularly popular in Scotland where it was borne by several early kings. Therefore, someone with the last name MacFergus can claim descent from a long line of men named Fergus, stretching back many centuries. Like many Scottish surnames, MacFergus speaks to the ancient heritage and cultural roots of those who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisMacFergus: Where does the name MacFergus come from?
The surname MacFergus originates from Scotland. The prefix "Mac" in the Scottish language translates to "son of", hence MacFergus means "son of Fergus". This last name was first found in Galloway, a region in southwestern Scotland, where the Clan Fergusson is believed to have been among the earliest settlers. The last name Fergus or MacFergus is common in both Ireland and Scotland due to shared Celtic roots. While Fergusson—without the prefix Mac—is the most common form of the name, variations of MacFergus can still be found, particularly in areas of Scotland with strong Gaelic traditions. Today, descendants carrying the last name have spread throughout the world due to emigration, and are found most prevalently in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. However, the highest concentration of people with the MacFergus surname is still expectedly found in Scotland.
Variations of the surname MacFergus
The surname MacFergus is of Scottish origin. It comprises two parts: "Mac" meaning "son of" in Gaelic, and "Fergus" being a personal name, meaning "man-strength". Variations of the surname have sprung up over generations.
Variants include MacFerghus, McFergus, MacFergusson, and McFergusson. Some of these variants might have resulted from transcription errors, or as a way to differentiate branches of the same family.
Another common variation is Fergus. This happens when the "Mac" prefix is dropped, a common trend in Irish and Scottish surnames.
The surname can also be anglicized differently based on regional accents and dialects. Ferguson is one such example. It is commonly found in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Alternative spellings like Ferguss, Fergys, Fergusson, Ferghus, Fargus, Fergusse, Fergusson, Fergie, and others are also common.
Like many surnames, MacFergus can also be spelled phonetically as MacFurgus, MacFergis, or MacFerghis. These kinds of variations often occur when families migrate and adopt the spelling conventions of their new home.
So, common variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as MacFergus include but are not limited to MacFerghus, McFergus, MacFergusson, McFergusson, Fergus, Ferguson, Ferguss, Fergys, Ferghus, Fargus, Fergusse, MacFurgus, MacFergis, and MacFerghis.
Famous people with the name MacFergus
- Dave (David) MacFergus: Director of Photography and Cameraman on films including The Impossible, The Orphanage, Gravity, The Mummy, The Others, and King Arthur.
- Magda MacFergus: the first female to swim the English Channel.
- John MacFergus: an American physicist and acoustician, best known for designing the MacFergus-Müller reverberation chamber.
- Archibald MacFergus: a Canadian-born British barrister and judge.
- Joanna MacFergus: a British actress, best known for her roles in Doctor Who, South Riding, and Survivors.
- Graham MacFergus: a Scottish-born Canadian painter and sculptor.
- Thomas MacFergus: a Scottish veterinary surgeon who was the principal founder of the Royal Veterinary College, London.
- Jim MacFergus: a Scottish-born Major League Baseball player who played for the Chicago White Stockings and the Boston Red Caps.
- Mark MacFergus: a former American professional basketball player.
- Russell MacFergus: a Scottish engineer and inventor who built the first three-wheeled single-seat steam-driven car.