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

CHAPTER VI
FERGUSSONS IN AYRSHIRE
In Ayrshire, and especially in Carrick, the Fergussons are an
old, and have been a numerous race. The ancient house of
Kilkerran claims descent from Fergus son of Fergus, who
obtained a charter of lands in Ayrshire from Robert l, and,
like other Scottish baronial families of high standing, it is
found surrounded and supported by cadet branches who took
rank among the landholders of the district. In 1466 Fergus
Fergusson and Joneta Kennedy, his spouse, were infeft in the
lands of Auchinsoull during the lifetime of his father ; and
when, in 1483, Fergus had to claim his ' heirship moveables,'
it throws an interesting light on the social habits of the time
to find that they consisted of ' 12 silver spoons, a pot of a gallon,
a ring of gold, a croce of gold, and a gray horse.' Lairds of
Kilkerran and their kin appear engaged in the feudal brawls
that were common throughout Scotland, but in which Ayr-
shire at one time almost enjoyed a pre-eminence, and in which
the brother of the Laird of Threave, known as ' Davie the
Devill,' must have been a good kinsman to have at hand.
Sir John of Kilkerran appears as a Cavalier in the civil wars,
in a country where Covenanting strength was overwhelming,
and indeed had to admit that ' he was in Kilmarnock with
Alaster,' and with Montrose at Loudonhill. The difficulties
in which the estate was involved through the burdens
incurred in loyal service to the king, led to the transfer of
the lands in 1700 to the able representative of a younger son,
the Fergussons of Auchinblain making over the estate to
John, son of Simon of Auchinwin. Upon the extinction of
the elder branch, his family became the lineal representatives,
and he had a distinguished and fortunate career at the Scot-
tish bar. In 1703 he was created a baronet, and his son, Sir