Surname Gläßel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gläßel: What does the surname Gläßel mean?
The last name Gläßel is a German patronymic surname derived from the given name "Glassis," which has origins in Middle High German. The earliest documented instance of the name can be traced back to the 1500s in the city of Magdeburg in Saxony in Germany.
The given name Glassis could originally have been derived from the Old High German word glas, meaning "glass." In this case, Glassis may have originally been used as a nickname for a glassblower or someone with links to the glass industry. Alternatively, Glassis may also have come from other words like a diminutive of glatzen, meaning "shave the head." Thus, the name Gläßel, derived from the given name Glassis, could have originally been a word denoting trade or an occupational surname.
Today, Gläßel is a rare name in Germany, with only five recorded instances. It is more commonly found in Ireland and the United States, where immigrants from Germany may have taken the name. Although the original meaning of the name is not clear, Gläßel is still a meaningful and unique surname which reflects the culture of its German origins.
Order DNA origin analysisGläßel: Where does the name Gläßel come from?
The last name Gläßel is most commonly found in Germany today. According to a German genealogy website, the Gläßel surname is concentrated in certain areas of the country — around the city of Neubrandenburg in the northeast, in the northern Saxon-Anhalt area, and near Gotha in central Thuringia. The name is uncommon in other parts of Germany and rare in other countries.
In many cases, Gläßel can be traced back to the 15th century name Glaser, which means "glassmaker" in German. It's likely that early Gläßels were glassblowers that moved to these regions of Germany, and the name eventually became Gläßel.
The Gläßels of today have a wide array of professions, though there are still some glassmakers among them. Many are farmers, tradesmen, craftsmen, and administrators. It's also common to find Gläßels involved in banking, real estate, and marketing.
Whether or not the worldwide Gläßel family is actually related remains a mystery, as there are no records of how they became Gläßel and why they were found only in certain parts of Germany. But what is certain is that the Gläßel family has been in Germany for centuries — and most likely will be for many more.
Variations of the surname Gläßel
The surname Gläßel is derived from the Middle High German, Low German dialect, and Dutch word "glas," meaning "glass." It is thought to have been a name for a glassblower or someone who makes stained glass and windows. Variants of the surname include Glaesel, Glässel, Glaessel, Glaeser, Glaser, Glaesli, Glasi, Glesel, Glässli, Gläßle, Gläßer, Glasse, Glassen, Glaess, Glasel, Glaas, and Glaase.
In Austria, the Gläßel spelling is most common, while in Switzerland, the Glaeser spelling is more common. In France, variants such as Glaas, Glaase, and Glassen have been identified, while in the Netherlands, the Glaser spelling is widely used. In the US and Canada, the Glaesel and Glaser variants are typically found among those of German descent. Other spellings such as Glasel and Glaessel are also common.
The Glaessel spelling is found throughout central and eastern Europe, including Austria and Hungary. It may be found among people with Jewish heritage, as well as many other European countries. It is also a common surname in some South American countries, particularly Brazil and Argentina, usually spelled with a double "S" as Glaessel (or Glaesel).
In Europe, variants such as Glässli, Gläßer, Gläßle, Glaessler, Glasse, and Glaeser (all with double 'S') have been identified in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. In Scandinavia, variants such as Glässel, Glaesli, and Glasi have been documented.
In some cases, surnames of Gläßel origin have been abbreviated to the familiar variants of Glass or Glasser. Similarly, Glaas and Glaase (with a single 'S') have been commonly found. These abbreviations are most likely to be found among German-American and Dutch-American populations in the US.
Overall, the variant spellings of Gläßel demonstrate a great variety of diverse names that have been derived from the same root word, indicating its cultural and regional significance.
Famous people with the name Gläßel
- Anja Gläßel: Anja Gläßel is a German swimmer, best known for her freestyle events. She was part of Germany’s 4x200m freestyle team which won the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
- Silke Gläßel: Silke Gläßel is a German figure skater. She represented Germany at the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics, and has won multiple senior-level medals at the German and European Championships.
- Jumela Gläßel: Jumela Gläßel is a German contemporary artist. Her work often explores the human experience and reflections on society, memory, and identity.
- Uwe Gläßel: Uwe Gläßel is a German footballer. He has played for several teams, including FC Kaiserslautern and provoked a legal case against FIFA.
- Werner Gläßel: Werner Gläßel was a German graphic designer who was known for his distinctive style of art deco posters. His work was widely featured in European publications.
- Eckhard Gläßel: Eckhard Gläßel is a German journalist and author. He is known for writing about contemporary German history and politics, and has published several books on the subject.
- Marlies Gläßel: Marlies Gläßel is a German author. She is best known for her children's books, which often feature topics related to human relationships and family.
- Dierk Gläßel: Dierk Gläßel is a German entrepreneur and executive. He is the founder of several successful companies, including the advertising agency Gläßel Effizienz Group.