Surname Jordan - Meaning and Origin

Jordan Surname Origins: An Unexpected Tie Illuminated by iGENEA DNA Test Results

After diligently examining my ancestral lineage using the iGENEA DNA test, the findings displayed an overwhelming link between my surname, Jordan, and a largely populated Semitic Y-DNA Haplogroup J2-M172 in the Middle East. The results stirred up an unexpected association between my origins and the historical communities utilizing my surname in the Middle East, specifically Jordan.

A. Jordan

Jordan: What does the surname Jordan mean?

The surname Jordan originates from the Hebrew name Jordan, which means "to descend" or "to flow down". It refers to the river in Israel where Jesus was baptized. It was often adopted as a surname by people who made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and was baptized in the Jordan River, symbolically 'flowing down' their sins. The river's name in Hebrew is Yarden, meaning "descend" or "flow down". The surname represents those who lived by a river or waterway and is therefore considered to have topographic origins. Over time, it has been modified into various forms in different cultures and languages. It is a popular surname in many English-speaking countries. Additionally, many people adopted it during the period of the Crusades in the 11th and 12th centuries as a form of symbolic or memorial surname, as it was a common practice to adopt the name of a saint or a biblical figure. The surname also has patronymic origins in some cultures, indicating the person is a descendant of someone named Jordan.

Jordan: Where does the name Jordan come from?

The surname Jordan is of Biblical origin, taken from Hebrew yarden or yoreden meaning "descend," or "flow down", referring to the River Jordan in the Middle East. The River Jordan had significant religious importance, and during the era of the Crusades, a number of pilgrims took the name upon being baptized in its waters. Later, returning to their native countries, they introduced Jordan as a surname. The name spread throughout Europe in versions like Giordano in Italy, Jourdain in France, and Jordán in Spain.

Nowadays, the surname Jordan is widely spread around the globe, especially in the United States and the English-speaking community. It is also prevalent in Germany. The popularity of the surname increased following the emergence of basketball superstar Michael Jordan, which led to a greater recognition and adoption internationally. Anonymized data from Facebook suggests there are more than 1.56 million people with Jordan as their last name, with it being most common in the U.S. Despite its religious origin, the name is popular among both Christians and Muslims, and it can be found in countries with significant populations of both faiths.

Variations of the surname Jordan

The surname Jordan originates from the ancient Hebrew personal name Yarden and has a few different variants and spellings based on geographical and cultural variations. Some of these surname variations include Jorden, Jordon, Jourdain, Jordá, Jurdan, Jourdan, Gordan and Giordano, which is its Italian variant.

In France, it was often used in the form of Jourdain. The Spanish version of the name is Jordán, where the accent on the 'a' indicates the pronunciation emphasis. Giordano is an Italian touch to the surname. A slightly different form is Gordan, more often seen in Eastern European countries.

It is also worth mentioning that Yarden is still in use in Israel as both a first name and a surname. In Northern Ireland, due to the Gaelic pronunciation, the surname is often spelled as "Jordyn" or "Jordain". The surname was sometimes shortened to Jord'n in older English text. These multiple variants and spellings of the surname Jordan are fascinating, revealing the name's rich history and broad geographical spread.

Famous people with the name Jordan

• Michael Jordan: American former professional basketball player, considered the greatest of all time.
• Barbara Jordan: Influential African American politician and leader of the Civil Rights movement.
• Louis Jordan: Famous jazz musician known as the "King of the Jukebox".
• Montell Jordan: Platin-selling American R&B artist best known for his hit "This Is How We Do It".
• Katie Price (Jordan): English media personality, model, and businesswoman.
• David Jordan: English singer-songwriter known for the UK top-5 hit "Sun Goes Down".
• Pascual Jordan: German theoretical physicist known for contributing to quantum mechanics.
• Jeremy Jordan: American actor and singer known for his role on Broadway and in the TV series Supergirl.
• Neil Jordan: Irish film director, screenwriter and novelist.
• Richard Jordan: American stage, film and television actor.
• Leslie B. Jordan: American actor, known for his roles in "Will & Grace" and "American Horror Story".
• Vernon E. Jordan Jr.: Civil rights activist and influential advisor to U.S. President Bill Clinton.
• Eddie Jordan: Former Irish racing driver and the founder of Jordan Grand Prix, a Formula One team.
• DeAndre Jordan: American professional basketball player.
• James R. Jordan Jr.: Brother of Michael Jordan, played professional basketball in the NBA.

Other surnames

JordainJordaineJordanaJordaneJordanisJordanlandJordannJordans