# Fergus

> English word · Proper noun · IPA /ˈfɛɹɡəs/ · frequency rank #25,057

## Definitions
1. A male given name from Scottish Gaelic.
2. A surname originating as a patronymic.
3. An unincorporated community in the township of Centre Wellington, Wellington County, Ontario, Canada.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *weyh₁-?
Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós
Proto-Celtic *wiros
Proto-Indo-European *ǵews-
Proto-Indo-European *-tus
Proto-Indo-European *ǵéwstus
Proto-Celtic *gustus
Proto-Celtic *Wirogustusder.
Old Irish Fergus
Irish Fearghasder.
▲
Old Irish Fergus
Scottish Gaelic Fearghasder.
English Fergus
From Irish or Scottish Gaelic Fearghas. The first element may be related to modern fìor (“true”) or fear (“man”) (cf. Fearchar). The second element has been understood to mean 'choice' (cf. Angus). Thus the name means either "most chosen one" or "chosen man".

## Easily confused with
- **fetus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fergus-vs-fetus)
- **fungus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fergus-vs-fungus)
- **Ferris** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fergus-vs-ferris)
- **ferrous** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fergus-vs-ferrous)
- **Ferguson** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fergus-vs-ferguson)
- **Fergie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fergie-vs-fergus)

## Common misspellings (9)
`efrgus`, `fegrus`, `ferggus`, `fergsu`, `ferguss`, `ferrgus`, `ferugs`, `ffergus`, `fregus`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/fergus