Surname Glässel - Meaning and Origin

Glässel: What does the surname Glässel mean?

The surname Glässel is of German origin and most likely derives from the Northern German word "glaseel," meaning a small bird. The Glässel surname is associated with the small city of Greiffenberg in Upper Silesia, an area in present-day Poland and the Czech Republic.

The Glässel surname evolved from its original meaning over time to represent more than just a bird. In early times, it was also used as a nickname cognomen for people with phraseological characteristics, such as being small and nimble or having clever and swift footwork. It also became known as a heraldic symbol of resilience and courage.

The Glässel family divided into several branches: Zabrze (in the Polish part of Silesia), Stolp (in the Prussian part of Silesia), Nieder-Greiffenburg (in the West Prussian part of Silesia), Dieb (a landless family), Frank (in East Prussia), Gersen (in West Germany), Liebenow (in Brandenburg) and Men (in Russia).

Glässel families today are still widely scattered throughout Europe, as well as America, Canada, South America, and Australia – hence the need for a handy phraseology to identify them from their original settlement.

The family’s motto is “Aus Heiterem Himmel” — which translates to “from a cheerful sky.” People with the Glässel surname may be descendants of excellent spirit, courage, and hardworking values that have endured for generations.

Glässel: Where does the name Glässel come from?

The last name Glässel is an uncommon name today, but it is still present in some parts of Germany, primarily in areas near the North-South border. In the far North, the name is found in places such as Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, while in the South, it is most common in Bavaria. However, it has also spread to other parts of the country, such as Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg and even some areas of Berlin, providing evidence of some migration of the Glässel family.

Glässel is an old name from the Middle Ages, derived from the Latin “glaeser”, meaning “glass blower”. The family likely originated in the south of Germany, as glass production was first established there and other countries in Europe, including France and England, adopted its use in the Middle Ages. The Glässel family very likely played a significant role in the production and trading of glass throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. The name is also found in some areas of Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, primarily indicating migration from Germany and other parts of Europe to these countries.

Today, the Glässel family is not as common as it once was in Europe, but it can still be found in certain regions. It is not a very common name, but its origins in glass production serve as an interesting reminder of the family's past.

Variations of the surname Glässel

The surname Glässel is of German origin and is most commonly found in northern Germany. This surname is also spelled as Glassel, Glaessel, Glasselle, Glassl, Glasselle, Glaesel, Glaisel and Glaysel. To a lesser extent, it variant spelling can also be found in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Glassel, Glaessel, and Glasselle are the most common variants of the Glässel surname. All the variants share the same root and meaning, which is derived from the German word “glas” meaning glass. This suggests that the surname could have originally referred to someone who made or sold glass products.

Glasl is another variant of the Glässel surname. This is a more anglicized spelling of the surname. It can be found in areas of Germany that have been subject to Germanic influences, such as South Tyrol, Alsace, and the Sudetenland. This variant is more commonly found in Austria and Switzerland.

Glasselle is another variant of the Glässel surname which can be found mostly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This variant has undergone a few spelling changes, such as Glaisel, Glaysel, and Glaesel, which are all derived from the root Glas.

All the variants of the Glässel surname are variations of the same name, and it not uncommon to find them spelled differently in different regions and countries. All the variants of the surname share the same root and meaning.

Famous people with the name Glässel

• Uwe Gläßel: German jazz musician, bassist, composer and producer.
• Martin Glässel: German Paralympic wheelchair basketball player and gold medallist.
• Katja Glässel: German Radio Personality, Journalist, Sound-Engineer and Blogger.
• Anja Glässel: German singer and painter.
• Ulrich Glässel: German television director, screenplay writer and producer.
• Wolfgang Glässel: German composer and pianist.
• Reinhard Glässel: German cable car operator in the Bavarian Alps.
• Karla Glässel: German software developer and entrepreneur.
• Günther Glässel: German university professor and psychologist.
• Gilles Glässel: Swiss scientist and professor in astrophysics and astronomy.

Other surnames

GlasserGlässer