Show ContentsGlasser History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Glasser

What does the name Glasser mean?

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

Early Origins of the Glasser family

The surname Glasser was first found in Prussia, where they held a family seat.

Early History of the Glasser family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Glasser research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1615, 1678, 1776, 1788, 1831 and 1871 are included under the topic Early Glasser History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Glasser 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 Glasser include Glaeser, Glasser, Glaesser, Glazer, Glasse and many more.

Early Notables of the Glasser family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Glasser Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Glasser Ranking

In the United States, the name Glasser is the 7,976th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


Glasser 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:

Glasser Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johann Philip Glasser, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1728 2
  • Ursula Elisabeth Glasser, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1731 2
  • Carl Glasser, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1748 2
  • Christian Glasser, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1749 2
  • Jacob Glasser, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Glasser Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Christopher Glasser, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1806 2
  • Frederick Glasser, who arrived in New York, NY in 1837 2
  • Henry Glasser, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1874 2

Glasser migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Glasser Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Ms. Catherine Glasser U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Glasser (post 1700) +

  • Bernard M. Glasser (1924-2014), American film producer and director
  • William Glasser (1925-2013), American psychiatrist, developer of reality therapy
  • Dave Glasser, American saxophone player
  • Phillip Glasser (b. 1978), American actor and producer
  • Isabel Glasser (b. 1958), American actress
  • Albert Glasser (1916-1998), American film score composer
  • Lori Ann Glasser, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Florida, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 4
  • Harry Glasser, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Senator from Oklahoma, 1938 4
  • Diane Glasser, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Florida, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008; Presidential Elector for Florida, 1996; Member of Democratic National Committee from Florida, 2004-08 4
  • Craig S. Glasser, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Florida, 2000, 2004 4
  • ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 26) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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