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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Early Origins of the Jordan family

The surname Jordan was first found in Suffolk, where the name first appeared in the early 12th century. Like many surnames, the name Jordan was taken from a common personal name at the time.

The personal name Jordan (and the female equivalent, Jordana) comes from the River Jordan; some knights and soldiers returning from the Crusades brought some of the water of the River Jordan back with them to baptize their children with and therefore gave the name to those children. 1 2 3

We should point out at this time that another reputable source disagrees with this etymology. "Not, as has been fancifully conjectured, from the river Jordan, in Crusading times, but from Jourdain, an early Norman baptismal name, probably corrupted from the Latin Hodiernus, which was a not uncommon personal name of the same period. It may be remarked that the names Jourdain and Hodierna, the feminine form, occur almost contemporaneously in the pedigree of Sackville." 4

"Jordan is a name established in many other parts of England besides the North and East Ridings, for instance, in Bucks, Derbyshire, Devonshire, Essex, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, etc. In the 13th century it was common as Jordan and Jurdan in Oxfordshire, and was also represented in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, etc. (H. R.). The Jordans of Enstone, Oxfordshire, have been resident in that parish since the 14th century (Jordan's "Enstone"). This surname is a form of Jourdain, an early Norman baptismal name." 5

In Scotland, "Jordan the Fleming was chancellor to David I in 1142-43, in a charter of Adam son of Swain, c. 1136-53. Jordan de Wodford, charter witness in Angus, c. 1170. Jordanus Brae granted a piece of land to the church of S. Mary and S. Kentigern of Lanark, c. 1214. Magister William Jordanus witnessed confirmation charter by Gilbert, bishop of Aberdeen between 1228-39." 6

Early History of the Jordan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jordan research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1182, 1202, 1327, 1561, 1569, 1603, 1609, 1610, 1611, 1612, 1613, 1619, 1623, 1624, 1625, 1627, 1628, 1632, 1640, 1650, 1685, 1687, 1691, 1698, 1707, 1770 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Jordan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jordan Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Jordan, Jordain, Jorden, Jordana, Jordens, Jordin, Jourdain, Jourdan and many more.

Early Notables of the Jordan family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Sir Joseph Jordan (1603-1685), vice-admiral, probably related to John Jourdain [q. v.], president of the English factories in the East Indies, slain there in June 1619. 7
  • Thomas Jordan (ca.1612-1685), was an English poet, playwright and actor, starting as a boy actor in the King's Revels Company. 7
  • William Jordan (fl. 1611), Cornish dramatist, lived at Helston in Cornwall, and is supposed to have been the author of the mystery or sacred drama 'Gwreans an Bys, the Creation of the World.' 7

Jordan World Ranking

In the United States, the name Jordan is the 110th most popular surname with an estimated 193,986 people with that name. 8 However, in Canada, the name Jordan is ranked the 565th most popular surname with an estimated 8,727 people with that name. 9 And in France, the name Jordan is the 2,423rd popular surname with an estimated 2,500 - 3,000 people with that name. 10 Australia ranks Jordan as 308th with 11,597 people. 11 New Zealand ranks Jordan as 255th with 2,382 people. 12 The United Kingdom ranks Jordan as 229th with 25,534 people. 13

Ireland Migration of the Jordan family to Ireland

Some of the Jordan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 85 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Jordan migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Jordan or a variant listed above:

Jordan Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Cicely Jordan, aged 24, who landed in Virginia in 1610 aboard the ship "Swan" 14
  • Samuel Jordan, who arrived in Virginia in 1610 14
  • Sisley Jordan, who arrived in Virginia in 1610 14
  • William Jordan, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 14
  • Peter Jordan, who landed in Virginia in 1622 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Jordan Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Guillame Jordan, who landed in Louisiana in 1718-1724 14
  • Eliza Jordan, who landed in Virginia in 1719 14
  • Claude Jordan, aged 19, who arrived in Louisiana in 1719 14
  • Antoine Jordan, aged 19, who arrived in Louisiana in 1719 14
  • Michael Jordan, who landed in Virginia in 1723 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Jordan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Eva Cath Jordan, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1802 14
  • Mary Jordan, who landed in New York, NY in 1813 14
  • Nicolas Jordan, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1816 14
  • Dennis Jordan, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816 14
  • Sarah I Jordan, aged 24, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1820-1873 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Jordan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Wesley Charles Jordan, (b. 1885), aged 20, Cornish carpenter, from Helston, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Lansford, Pennsylvania, USA 15

Canada Jordan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Jordan Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • James Jordan, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Philip Jordan, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Miss. Ambe Jordan U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783 was a passenger aboard "Cyrus" on August 21, 1783 from New York to Saint John River, listed as a child less than 10 years of age 16
  • Mr. Fraser Jordan U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783 was a passenger aboard "Cyrus" on August 21, 1783 from New York to Saint John River, listed as a child more than 10 years of age 16
  • Mr. Gilbert Jordan U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783 was a passenger aboard "Cyrus" on August 21, 1783 from New York to Saint John River, listed as a child more than 10 years of age 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Jordan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Martin Jordan, aged 16, Scottish settler who arrived in Red River Settlement, Canada in 1811 14
  • Michael Jordan, aged 45, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Pallas" from Cork, Ireland
  • Michael Jordan, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Pallas" from Cork, Ireland
  • David Jordan, aged 17, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Pallas" from Cork, Ireland
  • Michael Jordan, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Pallas" from Cork, Ireland
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Jordan migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Jordan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Jordan, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. Charles Jordan, English convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Mr. Martin Jordan, (b. 1801), aged 26, Irish carpenter from Wexford who was convicted in Carlow, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Cambridge" on 2nd June 1827, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1835 19
  • Mr. John Jordan, English convict who was convicted in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 25th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
  • Mr. William Jordan, English convict who was convicted in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 25th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Jordan migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Jordan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. George Jordan, (b. 1805), aged 35, English tanner and sawyer born in Berry Pomeroy travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 21
  • Mrs. Tabitha Jordan, (b. 1801), aged 38, English settler born in Ashcombe travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 21
  • Miss Mary Ann Jordan, (b. 1828), aged 14, English settler born in Ashcombe travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 21
  • Mr. John Jordan, (b. 1831), aged 11, English settler born in Ashcombe travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 21
  • Mr. George Jordan, (b. 1831), aged 11, English settler born in Ashcombe travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Jordan (post 1700) +

  • Vernon Eulion Jordan Jr. (1935-2021), American business executive and civil rights activist in the United States from Atlanta, Georgia
  • Robert Leon Jordan (1934-2024), American district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
  • Charles C. Jordan (1954-2023), American professional basketball player
  • James Daniel Jordan (b. 1964), American politician currently serving in his ninth term in the U.S. House of Representatives as the representative for Ohio's 4th congressional district since 2007
  • James Daniel Jordan (b. 1964), American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Ohio's 4th congressional district since 2007. A member of the Republican Party, Jordan is a former collegiate wrestler and college wrestling coach
  • Edward "Kidd" Jordan (1935-2023), American jazz saxophonist and music educator from New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Kristopher W. "Kris" Jordan (1977-2023), American politician, Member of the Ohio House of Representatives (2019-2023)
  • Leslie Allen Jordan (1955-2022), American Primetime Emmy Award winning actor, writer, and singer, best known for his roles as Lonnie Garr on Hearts Afire (1993–1995), Beverly Leslie on Will & Grace (2001–2006, 2017–2020)
  • Jeffery Flynn "Jeff" Jordan (1943-2022), American professional NFL football player who was a defensive back for three seasons for the Minnesota Vikings (1965-1968)
  • Shelby Lewis Jordan (1952-2022), American NFL offensive tackle for the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Raiders from 1975 to 1986, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013
  • ... (Another 202 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. David A Jordan (1964-1985), American Private from Winfield, West Virginia, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 22
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Horace David Jordan (1908-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Petersham, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 23
  • Mr. Ernest John Jordan (1919-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 23
HMS Dorsetshire
  • Herbert Mason Jordan (d. 1945), British Leading Seaman aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 24
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Kenneth FA Jordan (b. 1911), English Leading Cook (S) serving for the Royal Navy from Bigglesworth, Bedfordshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
  • Mr. Geoffrey W Jordan (b. 1922), English Canteen Assistant serving for the Royal Navy from Deal, Kent, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
HMS Royal Oak
  • Ronald A. Jordan, British Marine with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 26
  • Henry Daniel Jordan (1911-1939), British Corporal with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 26
  • Frederick Jordan (1901-1939), British Petty Officer Telegraphist with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 26
Pemberton Mill
  • Miss Catharine Jordan, factory worker in the Pemberton Mill on 10th January 1860 when the mill collapsed trapping 900 workers as rescue attempts continued into the night, an oil lantern was knocked over further engulfing the trapped workers in fire, she survived
  • Mr. William Jordan, factory worker in the Pemberton Mill on 10th January 1860 when the mill collapsed trapping 900 workers as rescue attempts continued into the night, an oil lantern was knocked over further engulfing the trapped workers in fire, he died
Prince of Wales colliery
  • Mr. Joseph Jordan (b. 1851), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 27
SS Newfoundland
  • Mr. Stephen Jordan (b. 1871), Newfoundlander from Pouch Cove, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he survived
  • Mr. Bernard Jordan (1896-1914), Newfoundlander from Pouch Cove, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time
  • Mr. Henry T Jordan (1892-1914), Newfoundlander from Pouch Cove, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time
  • Mr. Thomas Jordan (1864-1914), Newfoundlander from Pouch Cove, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time

The Jordan Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Percussa Resurgo
Motto Translation: Struck down, I rise again

Suggested Readings for the name Jordan +

  • These Jordan Were Here by Octavia Perry.
  • Yesterday in the Texas Hill Country by Gilbert John Jordan.
  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  5. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  6. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  7. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  8. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  9. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  10. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  11. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  12. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  13. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  14. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  15. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  16. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/cambridge
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  21. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  22. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  23. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  24. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  25. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  26. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  27. Entombed in flood and flame (retrieved 3rd August 2021). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120603025705/http://www.crosskeys.me.uk/history/prince.htm
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