Surname Glesel - Meaning and Origin

Glesel: What does the surname Glesel mean?

The surname Glesel is a German-Jewish name derived from the Yiddish word "glazel", meaning "spectacles". It is a frequent Jewish surname originating in western Europe and is found most prevalently in Austria.

The German-Jewish presence in Europe dates back as far as the 8th century and is traced back to the region of Worms, Germany. Jewish people living in this area in the 18th century and beyond took on surnames when required to do so for tax and legal reasons. Glesel was one of the adaptations of the Yiddish word "glazel" meaning spectacles. This surname was especially given to those who manufactured or sold eyeglasses.

Other variants of the Glesel surname include Glessl, Gläsele, Glässel, Glassel, Glaesel, Glasel and Gleseles.

It is unknown how widely dispersed the name is outside of Austria, however it is found in other countries such as Germany, the UK, Canada, the USA and other parts of Europe.

The most common spelling of the surname is Glesel and its frequency varies widely depending on location. In Germany it is less common, but in Austria it is one of the most commonly found surnames.

The surname Glesel is a reminder of the long legacy of the Jewish people in Europe, and of those who adapted to the changing cultural and political climates to ensure their survival.

Glesel: Where does the name Glesel come from?

The last name Glesel is primarily concentrated in Europe, predominantly in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

In Germany, the Glesel family name is common in the Berlin-Brandenburg region, most notably Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The name is also seen dispersed throughout Germany, with occurrences in many different states.

In Austria and Switzerland, Glesel is largely concentrated in rural areas, particularly in the eastern parts of Austria and the south of Switzerland. The name is also seen dispersed in the major cities, such as Vienna and Zurich.

Outside of Europe, Glesel is not widely adopted and can rarely be found. It does occur sparsely in countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico and Australia. These locations are mostly dominated by people who have ancestral ties to Europe, including Germany specifically.

In total, Glesel is most widely seen in Europe, primarily Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It can also be found in other places around the world, though these occurrences are few and far between.

Variations of the surname Glesel

Glesel is an uncommon German surname. Variants of Glesel include Gilsel, Glasel, Gloessl and Gloessel. It is a variant of the surname Glößl, found in Austria and Bavaria.

Variant spellings of the surname in Germany include Gloesel, Gloessl, Gloessel, Glesel, Gilsel and Glasel. It is likely to be an altered spelling of the surname Glößl, which is a topographic name for someone who lived near a flowery meadow or an ornamental garden.

In the United States, Glesel is most common in the states of North Dakota and South Dakota. It is also found in the states of Texas, Arizona, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, Michigan, Tennessee, Missouri, Pennsylvania and California. This spelling of the surname is also common in both the United Kingdom and Canada.

The surname Glößl has several other variants including Glössl, Glosel, Gloesel, Glössel, Glössel, Glösser, Gloesser, Gloessler, Gloeser, Gloesser, Gloeser, Gloessers, Gloesner and Gloessner. All of these surnames, and their variants, are likely to be derived from the same German root.

The surname Glesel is a variant of the surname Glößl, and frequently appears in various spellings including Gilsel, Glasel, Gloessl and Gloessel in Germany, and is also common in both the United States and Canada. All of these spellings and variants are likely to be derived from the same German root.

Famous people with the name Glesel

• Max Glesel: A Swiss footballer who currently plays for Grasshopper in the Swiss Super League.
• Herwig Glesel: Austrian artist and long-term resident who founded the Atelierhaus in Bochum, Germany.
• Jocelyn Glesel: Award-winning French entrepreneur and human resources specialist.
• Guy Glesel: Retired French ice hockey player who had a lengthy career in the NHL and Olympics.
• Nikolai Glesel: Canadian ballet dancer and director who was a major name in the New York City Ballet company.
• Dominique Glesel: French architect and urban planner who has worked on several major public buildings in France.
• Jakob Glesel: German lawyer and insurance advisor who offered legal guidance in insurance policies.
• Lene Glesel: Danish-American actress who starred as the lead in the hit television show "Vicky & Josh".
• Alex Glesel: German philanthropist and cartoonist who has won multiple awards for his aid to underprivileged youth.
• Christopher Glesel: British-American soccer player who played for multiple clubs throughout his lengthy career.

Other surnames

GlesenerGleser