Glaister Surname History

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The many generations and branches of the Glaister family can all place the origins of their surname with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name reveals that an early member worked as a person who worked as a glazier. The surname was originally derived from the Old English word glaes, which described a person who manufactured glass objects.

"The different forms of this name in the London Directory are Glaisher, Glaser, Glasier, Glaysher, Glazer, and Glazier. Other surnames from the manufacture of glass are Glasswright and Glassman." 1

Early Origins of the Glaister family

The surname Glaister was first found in Yorkshire where Adam Glasere was the first listing of the family appearing in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 1

As a truly occupational name Thomas le glasyer was listed in Cornwall in 1297. Later, Robert le Glasiere was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Essex in 1327. 2

Early History of the Glaister family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Glaister research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1379 and 1560 are included under the topic Early Glaister History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Glaister Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Glaister were recorded, including Glazier, Glazer, Glasier and others.

Early Notables of the Glaister family

More information is included under the topic Early Glaister Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Glaister family to Ireland

Some of the Glaister family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Glaister family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Glaister family emigrate to North America: John Glazier, who purchased land at Woburn, Massachusetts, about the year 1640; Conrad Glazier, who came to New York in 1847; and Anthony Glazier, who settled in Ohio in 1853..

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)