This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Fergus family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Fergus Family History

Fergus Surname Meaning

Irish: shortened Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Fearghuis or Ó Fearghasa ‘descendant of Fearghus’ formed with fear ‘man’ + gus ‘vigor force’. This was the name of an early Irish mythological figure, a valiant warrior, also of the grandfather of Saint Columba.

Scottish and English: from the Gaelic personal name Fearghus (see 1 above).

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Fergus family from?

You can see how Fergus families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Fergus family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Fergus families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 33 Fergus families living in Yorkshire. This was about 30% of all the recorded Fergus's in United Kingdom. Yorkshire had the highest population of Fergus families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Fergus surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Fergus ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Fergus. 20% of Fergus men worked as a General Labourer and 82% of Fergus women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Fergus were Bank Clerk and Housekeeper.

View Census Data for Fergus | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    20%
  • Plasterer
    20%
  • Bricklayer
    20%
  • Bank Clerk
    14%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    82%
  • Housewife
    8%
  • House Duties
    4%
  • Housekeeper
    4%

What Fergus family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 19,000 census records available for the last name Fergus. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Fergus census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Fergus

Passenger Lists

There are 3,000 immigration records available for the last name Fergus. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Fergus immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 3,000 military records available for the last name Fergus. For the veterans among your Fergus ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Fergus military records

You've only scratched the surface of Fergus family history

Discover More

What is the average Fergus lifespan?

Between 1956 and 2004, in the United States, Fergus life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1958, and highest in 2001. The average life expectancy for Fergus in 1956 was 61, and 77 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Fergus

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Fergus ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Fergus family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial