First found in Exeter, where they were granted lands by King William for their assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. The Jordans were descended from Jordan de Cantington, one of the nobles who was a companion of King William, Duke of Normandy. Jordan de Cantington was also known later as Jordan of Exeter from the area in which he settled and was granted lands in England. This noble family accompanied Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, in his invasion of Ireland in 1172, and acquired lands from King John the English King.

A great number of Irish Families left their homeland in the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century, migrating to such far away lands as Australia and North America. The early settlers left after much planning and deliberation. They were generally well off but they desired a tract of land that they could farm solely for themselves. The great mass of immigrants to arrive on North American shores in the 1840s differed greatly from their predecessors because many of them were utterly destitute, selling all they had to gain a passage on a ship or having their way paid by a philanthropic society. These Irish people were trying to escape the aftermath of the Great Potato Famine: poverty, starvation, disease, and, for many, ultimately death. Those that arrived on North American shores were not warmly welcomed by the established population, but they were vital to the rapid development of the industry, agriculture, and infrastructure of the infant nations of the United States and what would become Canada. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Irish settlers bearing the name Jourdan: Stephen Jurden, who sailed to New England in 1633; Anthony Jordan who settled in Virginia in 1635; followed by Eliza in 1650; Jacob in 1649; Ann in 1655.

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