Surname McFerson - Meaning and Origin
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McFerson: What does the surname McFerson mean?
The surname McFerson is of Scottish origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name "Fergus", which means "man of vigor". The prefix “Mc” is a Gaelic term for "son of", hence McFerson is translated as "son of Fergus". These surnames were given to sons to indicate their immediate lineage. The name Fergus was common in Ireland and Scotland, which explains why McFerson is prevalent in these regions. Additionally, there could be a variation in its spelling due to regional accents and phonetic spelling. Remember that over time, last names have transformed, leading to different variations, like McPherson. This complexity in spelling often makes it challenging to track the exact origin or meaning of a surname. The McFerson family, with the original Scottish spelling as "MacFhearghuis", can trace their genealogy back to a long line of warriors, kings, and noblemen in Scotland and Ireland. It is considered a noble and honored surname with historical significance, mainly in Scottish history.
Order DNA origin analysisMcFerson: Where does the name McFerson come from?
The surname McFerson is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Phearsoin" which means "son of Phearson" or "son of the parson." Over time, it evolved into its present form as McFerson. Despite its Scottish roots, the name McFerson isn't common in Scotland due to a lack of historical records and bearer population. This may be due to variations and modifications of the surname over time or movement of the families that carried this name. Indeed, many Scottish people emigrated in large numbers during the 18th and 19th centuries to North America, Australia, and other parts of the British Empire due to economic hardship or political conflicts. Therefore, the surname may be more prevalent in places such as the United States or Canada among descendants of those emigrants. Online directories currently show the highest number of individuals with the McFerson surname in the United States. However, it is still considered to be quite rare, with a low frequency compared to other surnames.
Variations of the surname McFerson
The surname McFerson is of Scottish origin and it appears to be a variation of the more commonly known Scottish name, McPherson or MacPherson. The surnames MacPherson and McPherson both mean "son of the parson."
The “Mc” or “Mac” prefix in Scottish and Irish surnames typically means "son of". Considering that these names are often anglicized and alternative spellings have developed over time, some other possible variants could include McPherson, MacFerson, MakePherson, or even McPhearson and MacPhearson.
As the name has passed down through generations and across different regions, the spelling and pronunciation may have been altered. It's also not uncommon for the names to be entirely translated into English, which might result in names like "Parsons", "Pearson", or "Peterson".
Remember that spelling might vary widely, particularly prior to the standardization of spelling in the 19th century. Therefore, searching exact spellings of last names when doing historical or genealogic research may limit the results. Always consider potential alternative spellings or use wildcard characters when possible.
Famous people with the name McFerson
- Sam McFerson, former professional ice hockey player.
- Bruce McFerson, British actor and writer.
- Brett McFerson, American billionaire and entrepreneur.
- Jake McFerson, Australian children's book author.
- William McFerson, British actor and musician.
- Trisha McFerson, American singer and actress.
- Susan McFerson, Scottish botanist and plant ecologist.
- Mark J. McFerson, US Marine Corps brigadier general and Commander, US Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.
- Catherine McFerson, English author and historian.
- Susan McFerson, American botanist and conservation biologist.
- Tony McFerson, English professional football player.
- John McFerson, American former tennis player.
- Bill McFerson, professional golfer.
- Steve McFerson, former professional basketball player.
- Brad McFerson, Canadian retired professional rugby player.
- Dan McFerson, British philanthropist and investor.
- Josh McFerson, former mixed martial arts fighter.
- Gail McFerson, British actress and TV presenter.
- Joe McFerson, Hong Kong choreographer and martial arts stunt coordinator.
- Eric McFerson, Scottish fiddle player and former Royal Scots Dragoon Guards officer.