Find out how popular the last name Fernie is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Fernie.

Fernie, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Fernie surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Fernie in America

Fernie is the 143847th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fernie surname appeared 106 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Fernie.

The history of the last name Fernie

The surname Fernie has its origins in Scotland, with records indicating its initial usage in the eastern part of the country, particularly in the regions of Fife and Angus. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English word "fearn," meaning fern, combined with the diminutive suffix "-ie," suggesting a location characterized by the presence of ferns. This etymology reflects the common practice of naming individuals based on topographical features of their residence.

Historical records of the surname date back to the early medieval period. One of the earliest references is found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a document listing the names of Scottish nobles who pledged allegiance to Edward I of England. Among these names is "Ferne," indicating an early form of the name. Over time, the name evolved into its current form, Fernie.

The surname Fernie is also associated with the village of Fernie, located in the parish of Monikie in Angus. The place name likely contributed to the adoption of the surname by individuals who lived there or owned land in the vicinity. During the 16th century, the name appears in various land charters and legal documents, establishing its prevalence among landowners and residents of the region.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname is John Fernie, a merchant from Edinburgh born in the early 17th century who played a prominent role in the city's trade activities. Another distinguished individual is Alexander Fernie, a clergyman and scholar born in 1622, known for his contributions to theological literature. In the 18th century, David Fernie emerged as a significant figure in Scottish legal circles, serving as an advocate and judge before his death in 1763.

The 19th century saw the emergence of George Fernie, an accomplished engineer born in 1825 who contributed to the development of railway infrastructure in Scotland. Another important figure is James Fernie, a shipbuilder born in 1838 who played a key role in the maritime industry during the industrial revolution.

In summary, the surname Fernie is rooted in the geographical features of eastern Scotland, with historical references tracing back to the medieval period. The name has been associated with various prominent individuals across different centuries, contributing to its enduring legacy. The historical evolution of Fernie is marked by its consistent presence in records and its connection to specific regions and professions, reflecting the interplay between location, occupation, and identity in the formation of surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fernie

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Fernie.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Fernie was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Fernie was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Fernie, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!