Show ContentsGlässe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Glässe name comes from the Middle High German "glas," meaning "glass," and as such was an occupational name for a glass blower or glazier.

Early Origins of the Glässe family

The surname Glässe was first found in Prussia, where bearers of the name Glässe held a family seat.

Early History of the Glässe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Glässe research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1615, 1629, 1663, 1670, 1675, 1776 and 1788 are included under the topic Early Glässe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Glässe Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Glässe include Glaeser, Glasser, Glaesser, Glazer, Glasse and many more.

Early Notables of the Glässe family

Notable figures of the time with the name Glässe were Christopher Glaser (1615-c.1670), Swiss pharmaceutical chemist and author, best known for his reference Traité de la chymie (Paris, 1663), which went through ten editions...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Glässe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Glässe migration to the United States +

Much of German history has been shaped by the state of Prussia. It was an enduring military power until after the Second World War. At that time, the state was abolished altogether and its land divided between the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. While some Prussians were content to remain in those countries, others moved away, many of them migrating to North America. They entered the United States mostly through Philadelphia, moving on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Others went to Canada, settling on the prairies and in the province of Ontario. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were:

Glässe Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Duning Glasse, who arrived in Virginia in 1652 1
Glässe Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Glasse, who landed in Virginia in 1724 1

New Zealand Glässe migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Glässe Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Alexander P. Glasse, aged 32, a gardener, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hindostan" in 1875
  • Jane B. Glasse, aged 25, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hindostan" in 1875
  • Frances E. Glasse, aged 6, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hindostan" in 1875

Contemporary Notables of the name Glässe (post 1700) +

  • Dr. Samuel Glasse (1735-1812), English theologian, son of the Rev. Richard Glasse of Purton, Wiltshire
  • Hannah Glasse (b. 1747), English author of a popular treatise on cookery entitled " ‘The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy, which far exceeds any Thing of the kind ever yet Published. … By A Lady. "
  • George Henry Glasse (1761-1809), English classical scholar and divine, the son of Dr. Samuel Glasse


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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