Majdal is the Arabic form of the Aramaic word Magdala which means a watchtower or small castle.
Both archaeological and other evidence, e.g. taxation records and the existence of very old trees, testify to the fact that the production of olive oil in the area, including on the estate itself, has taken place since classical times. The production of olive oil has, however, taken place in earnest only since the 1960's when the present owners' father imported seedlings from Italy and Spain to supplement the excellent local varieties.

***

At present, the estate is owned by Mr. Awn Al-Khasawneh, who is a judge a the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and his sister, Zein Al-Naquib.  The estate is run by their cousin, Mr. Tayel Al-Khasawneh, a former civil servant in the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture with a long experience in the cultivation of olive trees.