Jordan de Exeter

Jordan de Exeter (fl. 1239–58), also known as Jordan d'Exeter, was an Anglo-Norman knight, Sheriff of Connacht, and ancestor of the Clan Siurtain Gaileng/Mac Siurtain/Mac Jordan of Connacht.

De Exeter took his family name from the town of Exeter in Devon, England but it is not known if he or previous members of the family were the first in Ireland. He appears to have participated in Richard Mor de Burgh's conquest of Connacht in 1230s. De Burgh granted the barony or cantred of Gallen to Hugh de Lacy, who transferred it to Jordan de Exeter, who was in possession of it by 1239. In 1250 Henry III gave him twenty-five marks yearly "in reward of services until he should be given waste lands worth £20 a year, which were given about the parish of Killallaghtan in Galway, to be held by the service of one knight." (p.307)

He built the castle of Ballylahan – now on the junction of the N58 and R321 in County Mayo. It overlooked Athlethan, or Strade, where he built an abbey for the Franciscans but at the behest of his wife, transferred it to the Dominicans in 1253.

His wife was Basilia de Bermingham, a daughter of Meyler de Bermingham, lord of Athenry. They had sons Meiler de Exeter (d. 1289) and Jordan Óge de Exeter (fl.1269–1319).

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