First found in Suffolk, where the name first appeared in the early 12th century. Like many surnames, the name Jourdan 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. That someone's first name was taken as a surname may have indicated that the first bearer of the name was related or owed allegiance to someone of that name, or it may have been an arbitrary choice.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Thomas Jordan, who came to Virginia in 1623; as well as William Jorden, who arrived in Maryland in 1668 and Ann Margarett Jordon, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1792..

Motto Translated: By skill, not by violence.

For more information on the last name Jourdan, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.