 The place is named from an Anglo-Norman family called Jordan who accompanied John de Courcy to Carrickfergus in 1182.The surname Jordan is ultimately derived from the river Jordan, the name of which was used a Christian name by returning crusaders who brought back Jordan water to baptise their children [Bally Jurdon 1604].Jordanstown was a semi-rural district until the 1950s when it expanded rapidly with the construction of new housing.