GORDON, GURDEN: The home of the Scottish Gordons was in Berwickshire where there is a place Gordon from which the family probably took its name. The earliest member noted is Richer de Gordun lord of the barony of Gordon in the Merse (1150-60). His son was Thomas de Gordun (Black). The surname is found early in Engladn: Adam de Gurdun 1204 P (Ha) who probably came from a French place named Gourdon (Saône-et-Loire, etc.). The names of Geoffrey Gurdun 1220 Cur (K), Adam Gordon 1279 RH(C), etc., are probably identical with Fr Gourdon which Dauzat takes as a diminutive of OFr gourd in the sense 'dull, stupid, boorish'. (7)

GORDON: As Gordon ranks among the fifty commonest surnamse in Scotland it is not suprising that it is found frequently now in Ulster whence it was broguht by Scottish settlers since the time of the 17th century plantations and whence families of the name have moved on to the adjacent provinces also. (5)

Researching:       Bruce Gordon    m.   Susan  Margaret  Blight   (Sydney c.1977)