Contents [hide]

Ferris History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Ferris History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Ferris

What does the name Ferris mean?

Ferris comes from the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and Hebrides islands. The name comes from the Scottish surname MacFergus, which means "son of Fergus", which is in turn derived from the Gaelic personal name "Fearghus," composed of the elements "fear," meaning "man," and "gus," meaning "vigor" or "force." This Gaelic name was found early in both Ireland and Scotland. The name is a cognate of with the Cymric "Gwr-gwst," Old Bret. "Urorgost" and the Pictish word "Forcus." This last Pictish form of the name is found on a monument at St. Vigeans in Angus as "Fercos."

Fergus I (fl. 330 B.C.?), "son of Ferchard, was the first king of Scotland, according to the fictitious chronology of Boece and Buchanan, is said to have come to Scotland from Ireland about 330 B.C. to assist the Scots already settled in Scotland against the joint attack of the Picts and Britons. After succeeding in this he is further said to have gone back to Ireland to quell disturbances which had arisen in his absence, and to have been drowned in the passage off the rock or port which got the name of Carrick Fergus from him. " 1

Early Origins of the Ferris family

The surname Ferris was first found in Galloway (Gaelic: Gall-ghaidhealaibh), an area of southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, that formerly consisted of the counties of Wigtown (West Galloway) and Kirkcudbright (East Galloway), Ireland where St. Fergus (Fergustian) (circa 730 AD) was an Irish bishop, who went to Scotland as a missionary.

He settled near Strageath and founded three churches in Strogeth and two in Caithness. It is possible that he was the Fergustus Pictus who went to Rome in 721 AD. According to Irish lore, a family of this name descend from Fergus, Prince of Galloway (d. 1161), who is said to have married a daughter of Henry I of England.

Constantine Mac Fergus (d. 820), was King of the Picts, he "acquired the monarchy by the defeat of Conall Mac Taidg (Teige), who was assassinated in 807 by another Conall, son of Aidan, a Dalriad king in Kintyre. " 1

Early History of the Ferris family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ferris research. Another 148 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1466, 1499, 1582 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Ferris History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ferris Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Ferris has appeared as Fergus, Fergie, Forgie, Forgus, Ferris, Farris and many more.

Early Notables of the Ferris family

More information is included under the topic Early Ferris Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ferris World Ranking

In the United States, the name Ferris is the 1,405^th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 2 However, in Australia, the name Ferris is ranked the 932^nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,237 people with that name. 3 And in New Zealand, the name Ferris is the 871^st popular surname with an estimated 841 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Ferris family to Ireland

Some of the Ferris family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ferris migration to the United States +

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Ferris or a variant listed above:

Ferris Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Ferris, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 5
Jeffrey Ferris, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1635 5
Rich Ferris, who arrived in Virginia in 1636 5
John Ferris, who arrived in Maryland in 1674 5
Samuel Ferris was a servant sent to Virginia from Bristol in 1678
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ferris Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Francis Ferris Jr., who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1709 5
Thomas Ferris, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1709 5
Benjamin Ferris was a bonded passenger who arrived in America in 1721
James Ferris, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 5

Ferris Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William and Ann Ferris, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1804
George Ferris, who arrived in America in 1805 5
William Ferris, who landed in America in 1805 5
Margaret Ferris, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 5
James Ferris, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ferris migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ferris Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John and Mary Ferris and their 12 children arrived in New Brunswick in 1783
Joseph Ferris, who landed in New Brunswick in 1783
Mr. Joseph Ferris U.E. (b. 1744) born in Stamford, Connecticut, USA who settled in Indian Island, West Isles, New Brunswick c. 1783 passenger aboard the Union Transport he died in 1836 6
Mr. Joseph Ferris U.E. from Newtown, Connecticut, USA who settled in Canada c. 1784 passenger aboard the Union Transport 6
Mr. Joshua Ferris U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 he served in DeLancey's 1st Battalion 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ferris Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Elijah Ferris, who arrived in Canada in 1838
Mr. Patrick Ferris, aged 5 months who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Virginius" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 7
Mr. Thomas Ferris, aged 4 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Covenanter" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 7
Mr. Patrick Ferris, aged 20 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Covenanter" departing 17th June 1847 from Belfast, Ireland; the ship arrived on 9th August 1847 but he died on board 8

Ferris Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

G Ferris, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
Mrs. Ferris, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Ferris migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Ferris Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Ferris, English convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. Charles Ferris, (b. 1804), aged 19, Irish shoe maker who was convicted in Antrim, Northern Ireland for 7 years for breaking and entering, transported aboard the "Castle Forbes" on 28th September 1823, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1855 10
Mr. James Ferris, (b. 1817), aged 16, English convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for life for robbery, transported aboard the "Fairlie" on 14th October 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. Meshack Ferris, English convict who was convicted in Maidstone, Kent, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 27th August 1841, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
Mrs. Louisa Ferris, (b. 1817), aged 30, English house servant who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life for manslaughter, transported aboard the "Cadet" on 4th September 1847, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), she died in 1854 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ferris migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Ferris Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Bernard Ferris, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Mrs. Janet Ferris, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Paria" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 6th January 1866 14
Mr. Timothy Ferris, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Paria" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 6th January 1866 14
Henry Ferris, aged 24, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872
Mary Ferris, aged 24, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Ferris (post 1700) +

Charles D. Ferris (b. 2024), American lawyer and government official who was in office 1977 - 1981 15
Richard Jessie Ferris (1936-2022), American business executive, CEO of United Airlines Limited and was later the co-owner of the Pebble Beach Golf Links in California
John Edward Ferris (1949-2020), American four-time gold medallist competition swimmer, Olympic medallist, and one time world record-holder
Brigadier-General Benjamin Greeley Ferris (1892-1982), American Director of Civil Affairs Division, European Command (1949-1951) 16
William D. Ferris (b. 1961), American amateur astronomer and a television producer/director
George W Ferris (1859-1896), American bridge builder from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who build the world's first Ferris wheel for the Chicago World's fair of 1893
Audrey Ferris (1909-1990), American singer, dancer and actor from Los Angeles, California
Jean Ferris (b. 1939), American children's author/illustrator
Walter Ferris (b. 1886), American screenwriter
Woodbridge Nathan Ferris (1853-1928), American educator and statesman from New York
... (Another 52 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Ferris family +

HMS Dorsetshire

William Arnold Ferris (d. 1945), British Warrant Officer Engineer aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 17

RMS Lusitania

Mr. John Ferris, Irish Assistant Steward from Fenit, Kerry, Ireland, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 18

RMS Titanic

Mr. William Ferris (d. 1912), aged 38, English Leading Fireman from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 19

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. Frank Ferris (b. 1874), Welsh coal miner from Abertridwr, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 20

Citations +

Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 28)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 75)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 2nd January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/castle-forbes
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barossa
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/cadet/
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, February 29) Benjamin Ferris. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Ferris/Benjamin_Greeley/USA.html
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 10) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Universal Colliery Senghenydd 1913 disaster retrieved 21st September 2019, retrieved from http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/deathrolls/SenghenyddDead1913.htm

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