Surname Jourdain - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling My Identity: An Emotive Journey Through The iGENEA DNA Test

Unveiling the past through the iGENEA DNA test transformed my understanding of my roots, especially my connection with the Jourdain surname, and ignited a deeper emotional connection with my heritage.

I. Jourdain

Jourdain: What does the surname Jourdain mean?

Jourdain is a French surname that has its origins in the Hebrew name "Yarden," which was given to someone who lived near the river Jordan. In Hebrew, Yarden means "to flow down" or "descend," referring to the characteristic of the Jordan river flowing from north to south. Over time, this name evolved into Jordan in English and Jourdain in French. It is also linked to the Christian tradition of baptism, as Jesus Christ was baptized in the Jordan River, making it a popular given name in the Middle Ages. Therefore, the last name could also imply that the person's ancestors were baptized. Lastly, Jourdain could symbolically represent someone who has taken a journey, as the river Jordan also symbolizes a passage or journey in religious contexts. Today, it is used predominantly as a surname rather than a first name, particularly common in France and French-speaking countries.

Jourdain: Where does the name Jourdain come from?

The surname Jourdain is derived from the Hebrew name "Yarden," which translates to the "one who descends" or "to flow down." It has strong biblical associations as it's named after the River Jordan, significant in the Christian tradition as the site of Jesus' baptism. The surname was often given to Crusaders and pilgrims who traveled to the Holy Land and later to children baptized with water from the Jordan River.

Originally from France, the surname Jourdain is found in various spellings like Jordan, Jourdan, Jordain, among many others, due to regional dialects and early translations. The name spread across Europe and to the British Isles with the Norman conquest, where it's rather common in versions like Jordan.

Presently, the surname Jourdain stays most prevalent in France but is also found in various countries like England, the United States, Canada, and Australia due to emigration patterns over the centuries. Globalization and migration have further scattered bearers of the surname worldwide. Despite this, its largest concentration remains in France, specifically in the region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais.

Variations of the surname Jourdain

The surname Jourdain has roots in old French languages and may appear in various forms due to various factors like regional dialects, cultural differences, or simple translation errors over time. The spellings for Jourdain include Jordan, Jordain, Jordane, Jordani, Jordaan, Jordans, Jurdan, Jourden, Jourdain, Jurdan, Jourad, Jordens, Joerdens and Jordens.

Some variants of the surname Jourdain might occur because of Anglicization or different phonetic spellings in different languages. For example, in English-speaking regions, it may appear as Jordan or Jorden.

Surnames of the same origin might include Giraudin or Giordan, which are derived from the given name Jordan, related to the River Jordan in the Middle East. This name became popular in Europe after the Crusaders brought back water from the River Jordan to baptise their children. The surname Jourdain and its variants are widely distributed across French-speaking territories like France, Switzerland, and Canada, as well as in English-speaking countries.

Even within these countries, regional influences might give rise to distinct variants. In the south of France, for instance, Jourdan is a common variant. Consider also the Spanish variant Jordán, or the Italian Giordano. These all link back to the same geographic and religious origin.

Famous people with the name Jourdain

• Dr. Philippe Jourdain, French cardiologist and medical researcher who has published several books on cardiovascular health
• Etienne Jourdain, French explorer and geographer who explored North America in the late 1600s
• Robert Jourdain, best-selling author of Music, The Brain, and Ecstasy
• Louis Jourdain, French adventurer and military officer who served in Africa
• Bruno Jourdain, French professional tennis player
• Gaston Jourdain, French author and philosopher best known for his book “Ideas on a New Society”
• Jean-Francois Jourdain, French architect who designed several historic Parisian buildings
• Eustache Jourdain, French historian and academic
• Jean-Michel Jourdain, Jr., professional racing driver
• Linea Jourdain, French model and actress

Other surnames

JourdaineJourdanJourdaneJourdant