The Raman spectra of single crystal nickel ferrite and polycrystalline iron, nickel and manganese ferrites have been recorded at room temperature and 4.2K. Results are consistent with a D 3d perturbed O h factor group and indicate predominantly covalent character bonding. The observed Raman bands are all assigned to normal vibrations, no evidence was found for electronic scattering. The results indicate that much information regarding symmetry and phase can be gained from Raman spectra of ferrite materials, but a simple ‘fingerprinting’ approach to chemical analysis by Raman spectroscopy is inadequate for these type of materials.