Show ContentsGlassbrook History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Glassbrook is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Glassbrook family lived in Glazebrook, county Lancashire, which did not become a county until 1182, more than a century after the Norman Conquest. As a result, it was treated as two different territories in the Domesday Book. At this time, the territory north of the Ribble River was considered a part of Yorkshire and the southern region part of Cheshire.

Early Origins of the Glassbrook family

The surname Glassbrook was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Greysbrook or Greasborough, some say, from the time of the Norman Conquest in the year 1066 A.D. On record in circa 1100, was Bartholemew de Gresbroke who purchased an estate in Shenston in Staffordshire from Robert of Grendon, and it is thought that from this line were descended the Greysbrooks of Middleton, Warwickshire, who settled there in the early 15th century. Rixton-with-Glazebrook is a civil parish in the unitary authority of Warrington, Cheshire. The parish dates back to at least 1227 when it was listed as Glasbroc. It is derived from Glaze Brook, a Celtic river-name meaning "grey-green" having derived from the Old English word broc. 1

Early History of the Glassbrook family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Glassbrook research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Glassbrook History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Glassbrook Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Glazebrook, Glasebrooke, Glazebroke, Glazebrough and many more.

Early Notables of the Glassbrook family

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


United States Glassbrook migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Glassbrook Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. William Glassbrook, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "Elizabeth" in 1635 2
Glassbrook Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Richard Glassbrook, aged 26, Irish settler who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Amelia" in 1851 3
  • Mr. John Glassbrook, aged 59, English settler who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Liverpool" in 1855 3
  • Mr. Joseph Glassbrook, aged 54, English settler who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "City of Brooklyn" in 1875 3
Glassbrook Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Ernest Glassbrook, aged 36, English settler who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Baltic" in 1913 3
  • Mrs. Annie Glassbrook, aged 38, English settler who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Baltic" in 1913 3
  • Mr. Harold Glassbrook, aged 17, who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Orita" in 1918 3

Australia Glassbrook migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Glassbrook Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • J. Glassbrook, who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Marloo" in 1898 4
Glassbrook Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Alice Beatrice Glassbrook, who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Ranchi" in 1950 4
  • John Glassbrook, who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Ranchi" in 1950 4
  • A. B. Glassbrook, who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Oriana" in 1960 4
  • Mr. J. Glassbrook, who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Oriana" in 1960 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Glassbrook (post 1700) +

  • Jane S. Glassbrook, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1972 5


The Glassbrook Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Dum spiro spero
Motto Translation: While I breathe, I hope


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  3. Ellis Island Search retrieved 9th February 2023. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  4. National Archives of Australia Retrieved 9th February 2023. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/PassengerListing.aspx
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 26) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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