| ![Show Contents]() Glashan Surname History
Etymology of GlashanWhat does the name Glashan mean? Gaelic is at the heart of many of the Irish surnames that can be found throughout the world today. The original Gaelic form of the name Glashan is Mac Glasain or Mac Glaisin; both are derived from the word "glas," which means "green" or "gray-green." Early Origins of the Glashan familyThe surname Glashan was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár) located on the west coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from ancient times. McGlashen stones known as "stones of strength", or "testing stones" were used for centuries as tests of strength of young men in Scotland. Traditionally known as "clach cuid fir", or "manhood stones," young men were welcomed into manhood when he was able to lift the "clach cuid fir" from the ground to waist height. More recently McGlashen Stones and the Dinnie Stones have been used in many Strongman competitions since the 1980s. In Scotland, the name is from the "Gaelic M'Glaisein, a diminutive form of M'Ghille ghlals 'son of the grey lad.' [Other early records include] Mulmory M'Glassen in the Black Isle, 1500. Iain McGalssan or McGlassane was witness at Ardgartene, 1515. John M'Glassan witnessed an instrument of sasine in 1519, as also did Cristin M'Gillecallum M'Glassen in 1525, and Paul M'Glassen is in record in Lochalsh in 1548." 1 Indeed, Scotland became the home to many of the family as today most claim to be Scottish. Early History of the Glashan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Glashan research. Another 167 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1515, 1548, 1647, 1681, 1710, 1740 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Glashan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Glashan Spelling VariationsNames written in official documents were generally spelt as they sounded, leading to the problem of one name being recorded under several different variations, creating the illusion in records of more than one person. Among the many spelling variations of the surname Glashan that are preserved in documents of the family history are MacGlashan, MacGlashen, MacGlasheen, MacGlassan, MacGlasson, Houneen, O'Houneen and many more. Early Notables of the Glashan family- Alexander McGlashan (c.1740-1797), known as "King McGlashan," a Scottish violinist, bandleader and editor of music collections
Migration of the Glashan familyThe English-ruled Ireland of the late 18th and 19th centuries featured a rapidly increasing population and an agricultural-based economy. This combination proved to be disastrous in the 1840s after a couple of failed potato harvests. Thousands died of disease and starvation, and thousands more left the country, often bound for North America. Those that survived the journey to North America were put to work building the bridges, canals, roadways, and railways needed for the development of an industrial society. Those Irish, although often despised by those already established in North American cities and towns, played an instrumental role in making Canada and the United States the powerful and wealthy nations that they are today. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has shown many immigrants bearing the name Glashan: Robert MacGlashan with his wife and two children who arrived in New York in 1775 and moved on to Georgia, as well as John MacGlashan, who was recorded in Savannah, Georgia in 1855..
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
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