Records of the clan and name of Fergusson, Ferguson and Fergus

24 CLAN FERGUSSON
some interesting statistics were given of Scottish nomencla-
ture. It was estimated that in 1863 there were 44,268
Smiths. If we compare the Fergusons with four other well-
known Scottish names, we find that there were 36,624
Macdonalds, 30,212 Campbells, 14,476 Fergusons, 10,444
M'Gregors, and 9520 Gordons.
The tartan of the Clan is one of the most beautiful of all
the Scottish tartans, the set being a dark purple blue, traversed
by black and green bands and upon the green a sprainge, or
white stripe edged with black, and two red stripes, one on
either side of the white. The SuaicJteantas or badge given
by the books is the little sunflower (or rock rose), Helianthy-
mum marifolium, or in Gaelic Ros-greine. It has, however,
been said that the poplar and also the bog-myrtle was used as
a badge.
The arms which are always given as those of the Clan are
azure a buckle argent between three boar heads couped, or,
the silver buckle and gold boar heads upon a blue field,
borne by the houses of Dunfallandy and Kilkerran, and with
appropriate differences by the Aberdeenshire families.
' In MTan's Clans,' observes Mr. Charles Fergusson, ' the
figures representing the other clans are dressed in their
respective tartans, but M'lan knew the Fergussons to be so
very ancient a clan that he represents their clansman in a
helmet (Clogaid — the word used in the Gaelic verses above
quoted) and in the " Leine-chroich " or saffron shirt, " the robe
which distinguished a gentleman," one of the "oldest garments
peculiar to the Celts." ' Logan and M'lan are, it is to be ob-
served, mistaken in their description of the Fergusson tartan.
A tartan of a different set from that worn by the A thole and
Aberdeenshire families was, however, used by the Fergusson
families of Balquhidder. In forwarding a specimen of this
tartan, sent by his cousin at Muirlaggan, Balquhidder, and
made of his own wool, the Rev. R. Menzies Fergusson says: —
' This was considered by my father to be the oldest and most
correct tartan, which we all wore as boys. It was also used
by our relatives in Balquhidder.' The specimen sent shows a
dark blue ground, which is crossed by broad green bands,
and midway between them a thin green line. On either side
of the broad green bands is a broadish brown line, and mid-