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. 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.
