On Sunday, September 8, 2002 11:25 AM MDT, [email protected] wrote: > "The Jordans were originally Normans, who came to England in 1099 to > fight in the Battle of Hastings." > > Source: page 3 of "Jordan Genelogoy" 1967 compiled by Mrs. Juliana Wend > Jordan (Mrs. Chester Arthur) of DeFreetsville, Rensselaer County, NY. > She was my great aunt. This may apply to Juliana Wend Jordan's family, but probably not in general. The name is in widespread use by many apparently unrelated individuals from many countries. One story I've heard, of unknown authenticity is that, during the crusades many individuals from many countries traveled to Palestine, and seeing the River Jordan described in the Bible was a "big thing". This was also a time when surnames began to be commonly used in Europe, so some of these individuals adopted "Jordan" as their surname. Others who didn't travel, but who heard the stories of the crusades, likewise adopted the name. I don't have a source for this, but at least it helps to explain the name's widespread use. S R C A cott obert ranston nderson [email protected]