Surname Glass - Meaning and Origin
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Exploring Genetic Ancestry and the Origins of the Surname Glass Through An iGENEA DNA Test
Through the iGENEA DNA test, I learned how deeply intricate and intertwined my genetic makeup is. The test disclosed fascinating aspects of my heritage, particularly the roots of my surname, Glass. The accuracy of the test in conjunction with its technical aspects added depth to my understanding of my ancestry.
Z. Glass
read moreGlass: What does the surname Glass mean?
The surname Glass is of German, English, or Scottish origin. It refers to somebody who worked with glass, either as a glassblower or a glazier. Most likely, this surname was first adopted in the Middle Ages, when glass blowing was a common profession. This was the era when medieval artisans made glass vessels, windows, and stained-glass works of art. In some cases, Glass may also be an anglicized form of the Gaelic name “Mac an Ghaill” which means "son of the foreign youth”.
The surname Glass is not particularly common, and today it is associated with jewelry, eyewear, and mirrors, as well as other household items made of glass. However, its origins come from a time before glass was a ubiquitous material, when it still had a special place in the world. In this context, a person bearing the surname Glass was a craftsman who likely spent their time toiling away in a glass-making studio working with heavy and awkward tools, breathing in the fumes of hot glass, and creating beautiful works of art.
Order DNA origin analysisGlass: Where does the name Glass come from?
The last name Glass is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the 2019 US census, it is the 2392nd most popular surname. It is found primarily in the east and midwest United States, with Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Michigan, and New York having the highest concentrations of Glas families. There is also an especially high concentration in the New York City metropolitan area.
Outside of the US, the Glass surname is most common in the United Kingdom, especially England. Other areas with concentrations of Glass families include Canada, with the highest density found in Québec, Switzerland, Germany, and Israel.
The origin of the Glass surname is uncertain, but its roots could likely be found with the Middle English word "glas", which translates to "gray", "green", or "blue" in modern English. It is possible that the family name was first adopted to distinguish people with a particular eye color. In Jewish tradition, the surname is used to denote a family line descended from a person named "Glaser", a term which denotes a craftsman specializing in glasswork.
The Glass surname is a relatively uncommon one, yet is prevalent enough that it can be easily found throughout the United States and other parts of the world, especially in countries with strong ties to early British colonization.
Variations of the surname Glass
The surname Glass is likely derived from the Middle English glas, the Old English glæs, or the Gaelic gais which all mean “grey”. It is theorized that the name may have referred to somebody who had grey hair or the grey eyes. The surname Glass is also sometimes spelled Glasse, Glaess, Glace, Glaas, or Glas.
Variants of this surname include Glace, Glasen, Glaslen, Glaesen, Glasner, Glasnerr, Glasnor, Glasnerr, Glasnorr, Glasnetz, Glasnetzr, Glasnett, Glasnettz, Glasnetzs, Glaze, Glaize, Glassen, Glasges, Glaschen, Glassing, and Glastsen.
Common surnames with the same origin as Glass include Glaser, Glaeser, Gleser, Glesser, Glessner, Glessnere, Glessnerr, Glessnor, Glessnerr, and Glessnorr.
There are also several foreign variants of the surname Glass. Glasow is a German spelling of the surname, Glazov is a Russian version, Glazewski is a Polish version of the name, Glazier is a French spelling, and Glazier is a Dutch spelling.
Other derivative surnames include Glaseroff, Glascock, Glay, Glaze, Glasheen, and Glasier. As well, modern diminutives of Glass include Glasheen, Glasier, and Glascock.
Famous people with the name Glass
- Philip Glass: composer, conductor, and keyboardist in classical and experimental music
- Shelby Glass: retired bodybuilder and former National Football League player
- Leon glass: Canadian tropical diarrhea and neglected tropical diseases specialist
- Emma Glass: British novelist and poet
- Danny Glass: American college basketball coach
- Marc Glassman: co-founder of the Toronto International Film Festival
- Brooklyn Glass: artist and songwriter
- Lowri Ann Davies: Welsh environmental campaigner and businesswoman
- Annette Glass: Canadian curler
- Jude Glass: journalist and former head of BBC news