Jordon

Etymology

Jordon is a surname spelling variant of Jordan. The name ultimately comes from the River Jordan, whose name entered European use through the biblical tradition; in medieval naming it was often given to people connected with the river, especially after the Crusades, or to those baptized with Jordan as a Christian given name. The extra -o- in Jordon is usually just a later spelling variant rather than a separate origin.

History

The historical excerpts show Jordon as a recognized variant spelling in British surname records, alongside Jordan and related forms. Like many medieval surnames, it likely arose first as a personal name and only later became hereditary. Modern bearers are few compared with the much commoner Jordan, but the variant survives in English-speaking countries.

Origin

Regions

Variant spellings

Fun fact

In older records, spellings of this surname can fluctuate a lot, so one family may appear under both Jordan and Jordon in the same historical archive.

Related surnames