Why are the names John and Jane Doe used when talking about an unidentified person?

They originated in the British legal system centuries ago as standard fictitious names to use in cases where someone’s actual name wasn’t known- for example, they’re used as the names for unidentified dead people.

Here’s a link to a Word Detective page that mentions the origin:

http://www.word-detective.com/112701.html

The actual years of the reign of Edward III aren’t mentioned, but it was during the later part of the 14th century. I think Edward III died right about 1400.

Edit:

Instead of British, probably should say “English”. I have no idea if they were used in the Scottish legal system, and Scotland and England weren’t the United Kingdom until about the first decade of the 18th century.

John and Jane are quite common names I am not sure where the name Doe came from. They have been used for so long that the reason for Doe may have been lost.

Remember Dick and Jane books, see Dick run? Back in that time John Doe probably sounded better that Dick Doe. LOL…now that does sound funny!