Find out how popular the last name Glad is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Glad.

Glad, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Glad surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Glad in America

Glad is the 22301st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Glad surname appeared 1,156 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Glad.

We can also compare 2010 data for Glad to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Glad

The surname Glad is believed to have originated in England, tracing its roots back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It is derived from the Old English word "glæd," meaning "bright" or "shining." This term was often used as a descriptive nickname for individuals with a cheerful disposition or a bright complexion.

The earliest recorded instance of the Glad surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Gledde." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, serves as a comprehensive survey of landowners and property holdings in England after the Norman Conquest.

During the Middle Ages, the Glad surname was particularly prevalent in the counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. It is believed that the name may have originated from the Old English place name "Glædeleah," meaning "bright clearing" or "bright meadow," which was located in these regions.

One notable bearer of the Glad surname was Sir John Glad, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in the 14th century. He is mentioned in various historical records from the reign of Edward III, particularly in relation to his extensive trade activities and land acquisitions.

Another prominent figure was William Glad, a renowned scholar and theologian from the 16th century. He was born in Gloucestershire in 1515 and later became a fellow of Oxford University, where he made significant contributions to the study of divinity and philosophy.

In the 17th century, Thomas Glad, a skilled architect and stonemason, left his mark on several notable buildings in London. He was responsible for the construction of St. Paul's Cathedral, working under the guidance of Sir Christopher Wren.

During the 18th century, the Glad surname gained prominence in the literary world with the poet and playwright, Elizabeth Glad. Born in 1725 in Oxfordshire, she was celebrated for her poignant verses and satirical plays that shed light on the societal issues of her time.

The 19th century saw the rise of Sir Robert Glad, a prominent politician and statesman. Born in 1810 in Gloucestershire, he served as a Member of Parliament and played a crucial role in shaping the country's policies and legislation during the Victorian era.

While these are just a few examples, the Glad surname has a rich history that spans centuries and can be traced back to its Anglo-Saxon roots. Its enduring presence in various regions of England and the notable individuals who bore this name have contributed to its lasting legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Glad

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Glad.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Glad was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Glad has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Glad was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Glad, please contact us.

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