Surname Glasmacher - Meaning and Origin

Glasmacher: What does the surname Glasmacher mean?

The surname Glasmacher is an occupational name indicating a person who was involved in the craft of making glass (glasmachen). It is derived from the Old High German word 'glas' (glass) and 'machen' (to make).

This occupation was particularly prevalent during the Middle Ages and, while a few villages and areas are known to have had established Glasmachers, these people were rare and needed to travel far and wide to make their craft known. As a result, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of this last name.

Those with the last name Glasmacher would have excelled as highly skilled craftsmen, using their knowledge to create glassware that was sought after for its aesthetic beauty and practical use. They often sold their beautiful creations to patrons in wealthy households, and as patronage increased, so did their reputation.

In addition, these craftsmen may have gained a certain level of prestige, becoming wealthy and respected members of their communities. While this prestige is difficult to measure, it is nonetheless an interesting historical footnote in the history of the Glasmacher family.

Today, the last name Glasmacher can be found throughout many parts of Europe, as well as in some parts of the United States. Many have also adopted the name as an homage to their ancestor's craftsmanship.

Glasmacher: Where does the name Glasmacher come from?

The last name Glasmacher is most commonly found in Germany. Specifically, it is most frequently found in western Germany, particularly in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Hessen. According to the Geographical Distribution of German Surnames, Glasmacher is the 302nd most frequent surname in Germany, with approximately 18,937 people sharing that surname.

Glasmacher is derived from the German word glasmecker, which refers to someone who works with glass. This suggests the surname originated with a 14th century profession of glass-working. Glasmacheris have also been fine jewelers, wine merchants, and restaurateurs.

The most concentrated region for Glasmacher is the city of Mainz, located in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. This is likely due to the fact that Mainz is known for its exquisite glass-work. Today, there are many other Glasmachers around Germany working as glassmakers, or as entrepreneurs and restaurateurs.

Glasmachers have also spread to other countries, such as the United States and Canada, thanks to German immigration. As of 2020, the United States had 3,535 people with the surname Glasmacher, while Canada had 271 people with that surname.

Variations of the surname Glasmacher

The surname Glasmacher is a German name of occupational origin. The literal translation of the name is ‘glass maker’, meaning someone who produces or repairs glass.

Variants of the name Glasmacher include Glasmacher, Glaesemacher, Glassmacher and Glasemacher. Glasmacher is the primary spelling of the name; Glassmacher is the English spelling of the surname, which has been adopted as a result of immigration to the United States. In other regions, the spelling Glasemacher is more common, as is the variant form Glaesemacher.

In addition to these variants, other surnames that derive from the same root include Glase, Glasen, Glasner and Glaser. Glaser appears to be the most common of these surnames; it is the German spelling of glasser, a man who produces or repairs bottles or glass. Glase and Glasen are both derived from Glaser; the endings -e and -en are used to denote a masculinized form of the surname. The surname Glasner is also derived from Glaser, and is a combination of the German words glas and nahr, meaning near glass.

Famous people with the name Glasmacher

• Jim Glasmacher: a professional chef from New York best known for appearing on television shows such as Top Chef and Chopped.
• Samantha Glasmacher: an American fashion designer and former “Project Runway” contender.
• Carsten Glasmacher: a German professional volleyball player and Olympic silver medalist.
• Alexandra Glasmacher: a German photographer and visual artist.
• David Glasmacher: an American actor who has starred in films like “I, Robot” and “Step Up 2: The Streets”.
• Claude Glasmacher: a French composer.
• Ole Glasmacher: a former German international soccer player who represented his country in the 1990 World Cup.
• Steve Glasmacher: a professional golfer.
• Ernst-August Glasmacher: a German politician and lawyer who served on the Bundesrat from 1969–1979.
• Annette Glasmacher: an artist and sculptor from Freiburg, Germany.

Other surnames

Glasmachers