This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Jordan.' This great personal name, that has made such a strong impression on English and West European nomenclature, received its impetus.

Richard Kersley, of Westhoughton, 1604: Wills at Chester.

Roger Kersley, of Westhoughton, 1620: ibid.

1610. John Kersly, Gloucestershire Hall: Register of the University of Oxford.

1618-9. John Karsley and Elmina Barton: Marriage Lic. (London).

1673. Philip Burton and Elizabeth Kearsly: Marriage Alleg. (Westminster).

A common personal name in the last half of the twelfth century, "derived from the river Jordan, which became popular in crusading times throughout western Europe, and nowhere more than in England, owing to flasks of Jordan water being brought home to be used for baptismal purposes" (Woulfe, p. 672). Jordan the Fleming was chancellor to David I in 1142—43, in a charter of Adam son of Swain, c. 1136—53 (Register of St. Bees, p. 70—71). Jordan de Wodford, charter witness in Angus, c. 1170 (RAA., I, p. 38). Jordanus Brae granted a piece of land to the church of S. Mary and S. Kentigern of Lanark, c. 1214 (Dryburgh, p. 156). Magister William Jordanus witnessed confirmation charter by Gilbert, bishop of Aberdeen between 1228—39 (RPSA., p. 302). Jurdane 1473.

(Hebrew) Descender [Hebrew Yardén] The famous river from which this old baptismal name was taken descends to the Dead Sea ‘with wonderful force and rapidity.’ Robert fill. Jordan.—Hundred Rolls

(English, French) Descendant of Jordan or Jourdain (flowing down), a personal name sometimes given to one who was baptized with holy water from River Jordan.

Not, as has been fancifully conjectured, from the river Jordan, in Crusading times, but from Jourdain, an early Norman baptismal name, probably corrupted from the Latin Hodiernus, which was a not uncommon personal name of the same period. It may be remarked that the names Jourdain and Hodierna, the feminine form, occur almost contemporaneously in the pedigree of Sackville. Marin's Dutch Dict, defines Jorden as Gregory, "een man's naam, Gregoire, nom d' homme."

(Hebrew.) The river of judgment. Jardain, Gaelic, the western river, with respect to the Euphrates. The name is derived from its two spring—heads, Jor and Dan.

Jordan is a name established in many other parts of England besides the North and East Ridings, for instance, in Bucks, Derbyshire, Devonshire, Essex, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, etc. In the 13th century it was common as Jordan and Jurdan in Oxfordshire, and was also represented in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, etc. (H. R.). The Jordans of Enstone, Oxfordshire, have been resident in that parish since the 14th century (Jordan's "Enstone"). This surname is a form of Jourdain, an early Norman baptismal name (L.).