Contents [hide]

Jordon History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Jordon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Ireland

The Jordon name comes from the Gaelic Mac Siúrtáin. It was adopted by one a Connacht family who came to Ireland with the Norman invasion of 1172. Ultimately, Jordon is derived from the name of the river Jordan, "Yarden" in Hebrew. The name first became popular in Europe as a personal name during the Crusades when it was a common practice for Crusaders to bring back vials containing the waters of this river to use in the baptism of their children.

Early Origins of the Jordon family

The surname Jordon was first found in Normandy where the name there was recorded as Jordanus as in the listing of Richard, Rovert and William Jordanus in 1189. 1

An earlier branch of the family came to Ireland with the "English invaders" in 1168 and at that time were known as De Exeter because they came from Exonia or Exeter in England. They accompanied Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, in his invasion of Ireland, and acquired lands from King John the English King. In order to assume Irish patronymics, the name was changed to MacJordan after Jordan De Courcy (Jordan Teutonicus) who died in 1197.

As to underline this origin, the learned Edward MacLysaght, noted "Mac Siurtáin A Gaelic patronymic adopted by the d'Exeter family-one of those which acquired estates in Connacht after the Anglo-Norman invasion; it was later called MacJordan's country." 2

Another Chief Herald of Ireland, O'Hart quotes: "The De Exonias or De Exeters submitted to be called MacJordans, from one Jordan De Exonia, who was the first founder of the family." The family rose to become Lords of Athleathan, in the Barony of Gallen, and County of Mayo. 3

Early History of the Jordon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jordon research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1641 and 1652 are included under the topic Early Jordon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jordon Spelling Variations

A single person's name was often spelt simply as it sounded by medieval scribes and church officials. An investigation into the specific origins the name Jordon has revealed that such a practice has resulted in many spelling variations over the years. A few of its variants include: Jordan, Jordane, Jordain, Jordaine, Jourdan, Jourdane, Jorden, Jurden, Jurdon, MacShurtan, MacJordan, MacShurton, MacShurdane, MacShurtaine,McShurtan, McJordan, McShurton, McShurdane and many more.

Early Notables of the Jordon family

More information is included under the topic Early Jordon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jordon Ranking

In the United States, the name Jordon is the 2,539^th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 4

Jordon migration to the United States +

Ireland experienced a dramatic decrease in its population during the 19th century. This was in a great measure, a response to England's imperialistic policies. Hunger and disease took the lives of many Irish people and many more chose to leave their homeland to escape the horrific conditions. North America with its promise of work, freedom, and land was an extremely popular destination for Irish families. For those families that survived the journey, all three of these things were often attained through much hard work and perseverance. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Jordon:

Jordon Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Dorothy Jordon, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1792 5
Eliza Jordon, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1792 5
Henry Jordon, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1792 5
Ann Margarett Jordon, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1792 5
Nicholas Jordon, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1792 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Jordon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

M Jordon, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1860 5
William E Jordon, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1861 5
Charles Jordon, aged 26, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1870 5
John Jordon, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1870 5
Conrad Jordon, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1876 5

Jordon migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Jordon Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

James Jordon, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Philip Jordon, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Phoebe Jordon, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Samuel Jordon, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750

Jordon Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Martin Jordon, who arrived in Canada in 1817

Jordon migration to Australia +

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

Jordon Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Edmond Jordon, aged 23, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Harry Lorrequer" 6
William Jordon, aged 36, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Harry Lorrequer" 6
Edward Jordon, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Harry Lorrequer" in 1849 6
William Jordon, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Harry Lorrequer" in 1849 6
Charley Jordon, aged 24, a blacksmith, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Calabar" 7

Jordon 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:

Jordon Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

G. W. Jordon, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thames City" in 1860
Miss Alice A Jordon, (b. 1863), aged 8 months, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Ivanhoe" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 13th June 1864 8
Mrs. Catherine Jordon, (b. 1837), aged 27, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Ivanhoe" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 13th June 1864 8
Mr. William Jordon, (b. 1838), aged 26, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Ivanhoe" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 13th June 1864 8
Miss Louisa E Jordon, (b. 1862), aged 2, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Ivanhoe" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 13th June 1864 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Jordon (post 1700) +

Robert E. Jordon M.D., American professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Philip Jordon (1933-1965), Native American NBA basketball player
Perley Jordon, American politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Thompson, 1834-35, 1838 9
L. S. Jordon, American politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Ohio County, 1875 9
John H. Jordon, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1900; U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, 1909-13 9
James A. Jordon, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1960 (alternate), 1964 9
F. S. Jordon, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maine, 1908 9
Mark Jordon (b. 1965), British actor, best known for playing PC Phil Bellamy in the British TV Series Heartbeat
Darren Jordon (b. 1960), British journalist
Raymond Clarence "Slug" Jordon (1937-2012), Australian first-class cricketer

The Jordon 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

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HARRY LORREQUER 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849HarryLorrequer.htm
South Australian Register Tuesday 2nd August 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Calabar 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/williamstuart1853.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 20) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html