First found in Brittany, where the family was seated since ancient times.

In 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 people in Quebec. Migration was slow. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name Jourdan has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Jourdan were Charles Jourdain, who settled, at the age of 40; in Canada in 1642; Anne Jordin, who arrived in Virginia in 1653; Marie Denot, who settled in Montreal in 1667.

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