A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fergus family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4306 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a lion ramp. gu”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Fergus Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Fergus arms are recorded
The Fergus arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Fergus arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Fergus Family in Scotland
The name Fergus originates from the ancient Gaelic name Fearghus, which translates to man of vigor or force. This name has deep roots in Scottish history, as it was famously held by early kings of the Dál Riata kingdom in western Scotland. Over many centuries, the name evolved from a personal title into a hereditary surname as families began to settle in specific regions. By the middle of the eighteenth century, members of the Fergus family were well-established in the bustling city of Edinburgh. During this period, Edinburgh was a center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families living there were often involved in the growing trade, legal, and academic sectors of the city. These early residents helped shape the local community while carrying forward a name that had been significant in Scottish culture for over a thousand years.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a fess betw. a star of eight rays in chief and a lion ramp. in base or”
MayoMayo, c. 1742
Where the Fergus Arms Were Recorded
Mayo
Map of Ireland showing where the Fergus arms are recorded
The Fergus arms were recorded in Mayo, c. 1742.
Mayo was poor western Irish country of bog and mountain, held by a small number of old families. Land changed hands rarely there, and families who held on appear in the records.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Fergus arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Mayo.
Origin & History of the Fergus Family in Ireland
The name Fergus originates from the ancient Gaelic name Fearghus, which translates to man of vigor or strength. Long before it became a fixed surname, it was a popular given name among the Irish nobility and legendary heroes. By the time the family was firmly established in County Mayo in 1742, the name had transitioned from a personal identifier to a hereditary family name. During this period in the west of Ireland, families often lived in tight-knit rural communities where they maintained strong ties to their local land and traditions. The presence of the Fergus family in Mayo during the mid-eighteenth century suggests they were part of the local social fabric during a time of significant economic and political change in Ireland. As the use of surnames became more standardized, the Fergus name helped preserve a link to the older Gaelic traditions that had defined the region for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fergus
Derived from the Gaelic elements fer meaning man and gus meaning vigor.
This name
FergusA name signifying masculine strength, vigor, or forcefulness.
also spelled
Ferguson
Fergusson
Related arms
Macrathsame arms
O'Feargussimilar arms
Fargusvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
National Records of Scotland. Edinburgh Register of Testaments. 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
