Welcome to the Clan Fergusson
Society International. Explore more than a thousand years of Clan Fergusson
history, Scottish genealogy, and Lowland and Highland traditions while
discovering the enduring cultural legacy of Scotland’s most ancient clan, arguably
dating back to the 5th or 6thcentury, Fergu(s)son
is one of the oldest Scottish clans if not the oldest.
The Founding Society
The Clan Fergusson Society in
Scotland was founded prior to 1895, producing a 1895
publication Records of the Clan and Name of Fergusson, Ferguson, and Fergus; edited
by James Ferguson and Robert Menzies Fergusson is universally considered the
definitive foundation for all modern Ferguson history and genealogy. Without
this specific book, much of what we know about the clan today would have been
permanently lost to time. Its profound influence and importance manifest in
several distinct ways:
1. The Ultimate Genealogical
Rescue Mission. When the book was commissioned in June 1894, the editors'
explicit goal was to rescue disappearing history. They sought to gather
scattered private manuscripts, fading family papers, and oral traditions before
they vanished forever. Because it preserves primary source data from family
branches before the massive 20th-century migrations, it serves as an
irreplaceable time capsule for historians.
2. Proof That It is a
"Clan of Families". One of the book's most significant impacts was
providing a cohesive structural narrative for a highly decentralized clan.
Unlike clans with a singular, concentrated territory, the Fergusons were
historically scattered across Scotland—from the rebellious Gaels of Atholl and
Balquhidder to the aristocratic lawyers of Kilkerran
in Ayrshire and the landowners of Aberdeenshire. The 1895 records meticulously
organized these disparate geographic groups, establishing how these distinct
regional lines are tied together by name, heraldry, and common symbols (like
the boar's head and buckle).
3. The Definitive Bible for
Genealogists. For any modern researcher tracing their roots back to Scotland,
this text is recognized by major genealogical archives—including Ancestry.com
and the National Library of Scotland—as the premier resource. The book
comprehensively details:
• Early history dating back
to the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata
• Lineages and cadet branches
across every major Scottish shire, England, and Ireland
• Early emigrant lines to
Europe and the Americas
• Official Clan Heraldry,
tartans, and historic badges
4. Cultural Preservation and
the Global Diaspora The 1895 records directly catalyzed the survival of the
Clan Fergusson identity into the 20th and 21st centuries. When descendants
emigrated to America, Canada, and Australia, they carried the history documented
in this book with them. It is the historical blueprint that allowed the Clan
Fergusson Society of North America to be successfully established decades later
in 1972. The book was so influential that a massive supplemental volume had to
be published just four years later in 1899 to accommodate the flood of
additional family records and corrections sent in by Fergusons worldwide who
wanted to ensure their branches were permanently cemented in the clan's
official history.
80 Years Later...
The Clan Fergusson Society of
North American (America and Canada) was established in 1972 at the Grandfather
Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina with both the assistance of the Scotland
Fergusson Society and Sir James Fergusson 8th Baronet of Kilkerran.
The Society fulfills its charitable, educational, and
scientific missions by preserving, studying, and promoting our rich history,
genealogy, heraldry, and cultural heritage. By supporting research,
publications, and participation in Scottish cultural events and Highland games,
they foster a deeper public understanding and appreciation of Clan Fergusson,
its associated families, and its septs. CFSNA recently celebrated its 50th
anniversary. Every quarter the editors of the “BeeLine”
magazine/newsletter contributed making 50 years of Ferguson articles.
There
is a dedicated branch called the Dutch Clan Ferguson (Nederlandse Clan Ferguson). [1, 2]
The future of the Society.
Why International? The
founder of this website and publication Eric C Ferguson was a past president of
Clan Ferguson Society of North America. While being President he was often
prompted (requested) to admit persons of interest to CFSNA even though this
person was from another country (such as Brazil). Another case involves persons
in Asia such as the Philippines. Because there were no society
local to represent them, Eric Ferguson decided its
time to try to include as many Fergusons as possible with international
outreach.
Another issue is the
membership numbers is declining. So, Eric’s decision is to rescue records of
the Ferguson societies before a collapse as the old guard departs without a heir. It’s the same vision that James Ferguson and Robert
Menzies Ferguson foresaw with the 1895 publication of Records of the Clan
Ferguson. It was and is a matter of preservation.
Leadership
The vision of the founder is
to establish this society as a guardian or a protector of things historical, culturally,
and for the race of those who line up themselves as Fergus related. The office
of Lord Protector of Clan Fergusson Society International has been created.
In the context of Scottish
heraldry, clan law, and tradition, yes—spiritually, culturally, and
traditionally, any leader of a clan society traditionally answers to the
hereditary Clan Chief, who is as the writing of this day, Sir Adam Fergusson,
10th Baronet of Kilkerran Scotland.
According to authentic Scottish custom:
1. The Chief Holds Supreme
Authority: The ultimate authority of the entire clan rests solely with the
Chief of the Name and Arms of Fergusson (currently Sir Adam Fergusson of Kilkerran, 10th Baronet). In Scottish tradition, a clan
society is not an independent entity; it exists entirely to support, preserve,
and promote the heritage of the Chief's clan. Under the Court of the Lord Lyon
(the heraldic authority in Scotland), only the Chief legally owns the chief
undifferenced arms, the clan crest, and the ultimate right to dictate official
clan affairs.
2. The Role of the "Lord
Protector" is as a volunteer Deputy.
• In Tradition: The Lord Protector would look
to the Chief of the Name for guidance on authentic history, approved septs, and
official clan representation. For example, a clan society cannot officially
change or adopt clan tartans without the Chief's explicit permission. The Lord
Protector is not a Chieftain. The Lord Protector will have volunteer trustees
to assist with its operations.
• In Modern Legality: Legally, global clan
societies (like the Clan Fergusson Society of North America) operate as
non-profit organizations or cultural clubs. They are governed by their own
bylaws and boards. However, out of respect for Scottish heritage, these
societies always maintain a close relationship with the Chief, frequently
inviting them to serve as the society's Honorary President or Patron. As the
"Lord Protector," he or she is positioned as a noble steward who
manages the day-to-day international community, while proudly displaying
allegiance to the Chief at Kilkerran House.
Copyright & Fair Dealing
Disclaimer
Educational Purpose Only
This website is operated by Clan Fergusson Society International strictly for educational,
historical, and research purposes.
Use of Copyrighted Material
This site may contain copyrighted material, the use of which has not always
been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We make such material
available in our efforts to advance the understanding of Scottish history,
culture, genealogy, and heritage.
We believe this constitutes a 'fair
dealing' as protected under Section 29 and 30 of the UK Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988 (research and private study, criticism,
review, and news reporting) and a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted
material as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.
Content Take-Down Policy
We respect the intellectual property rights of others. If you are the rightful
owner of any copyright material used on this website and object to its display,
or if you require specific attribution, please contact us at beeline.cfsna@gmail.com,
and the material will be promptly removed or amended.
Most of our sources of information
are from Ferguson Historical societies, Scottish History books, Ancestry.com,
Wikipedia, Travel and Tour sites, Maybole.com, CFSNA Clan Ferguson Society of
North America, Museums, Encylopedias. Many pictures
are taken from Eric Fergusons own cameras at highland game festivals and other
outings. Some photos have been donated and information lost. Many stories,
histories have been rewrote, reworded etc and much
has been recycled considering the antiquity of the subject.