Surname Jourdan - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Roots and Relations: A Jourdan's Journey with the iGENEA DNA Test

Discover how the iGENEA DNA test not only helped unlock fascinating information about the origins and history of the surname Jourdan but also facilitated connections with distant relatives sharing the same name.

L. Jourdan

Jourdan: What does the surname Jourdan mean?

Jourdan is a French surname that is derived from the given name ‘Jordan’. The name Jordan is of Hebrew origin, meaning 'to descend' or ‘flow down’, from the Hebrew name 'Yarden'. It refers to the River Jordan in Israel. It was often adopted as a first name by the Crusaders in the Middle Ages who would bring back water from the River Jordan to baptize their children. The surname Jourdan became popular in France and later spread to other parts of the world due to immigration and colonization. Variants of the surname include Jordan, Jordon, Jordain, and Jordana. The use of surnames in France did not become necessary until the Middle Ages when governments introduced personal taxation. Therefore, the surname Jourdan, like other French surnames, was originally a status or occupational type surname. Although it is a common French surname, it may have different origins in cultures outside of France.

Jourdan: Where does the name Jourdan come from?

The surname Jourdan is of French origin. It was derived from "Jordanus", a Hebrew name which means "one who descends or to flow down". It was often given to those who made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and brought back water from the Jordan River.

Although the surname first appeared in Brittany, a historic province in northwest France, it also has presence in other French-speaking regions including the Belgian region of Wallonia. Over the centuries, many French families migrated around the world and in doing so, dispersed the Jourdan surname. Today, it remains fairly common throughout France.

Moreover, due to French colonial impact, you can find the surname Jourdan in several former French colonies like Canada, specifically in Quebec, and some parts of the United States, notably in regions of Louisiana where French influence persists. Lastly, thanks to migration, it is also found in other countries such as Argentina and South Africa. However, in summary, the highest concentration of the surname Jourdan can currently be found in France.

Variations of the surname Jourdan

The surname Jourdan has its roots in France and is derived from "jordanus," which was a baptismal name referring to the River Jordan. Variations of the surname can be found across Europe, particularly in regions with French influence.

Some of the most common variations include Jordan, Jordon, Jourdain, Jourden, Jourdain, Jorden, Jurdan, Jurden, and Jordain. The spelling variation depends on the region and local language.

In countries where English is the dominant language, Jordan and Jordon are the most commonly found variations. The variant Jourdain is most common in France and other French-speaking regions including parts of Canada, particularly Quebec. Similarly, Jourden and Jorden can be found in regions with a mix of French and English speaking populations.

Less common variants such as Jurdan and Jurden are typically found in English-speaking countries. The French variant Jordain is relatively uncommon but can be found in some French-speaking regions.

Surnames of the same origin include the English Davis and the Welsh Davies both derived from the Hebrew David. Similarly, the surnames James, Jamieson, Jimenez, Diego, and Santiago all have the same origin, the Hebrew name Jacob.

Famous people with the name Jourdan

• Lauren Jourdan: American former professional soccer player and current coach
• Shelley Jourdan: American olympic track and field athlete
• Louis Jourdan: French film and television actor
• Jake Jourdan: American skier and reality television star
• Caitlin Jourdan: Australian model and actor
• Jacques Jourdan: French composer
• Magali Jourdan: French actress
• Abbas Jourdan: Omani sculptor
• David Jourdan: Canadian film director
• Marijo Jourdan: French singer

Other surnames

JourdainJourdaineJourdaneJourdantJourden