Glau
A surname likely originating from a German place name such as Glau or Glauchau.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Glau. That puts it at #105,079 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Glau surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#105,079
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
170
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 170 bearers of the surname Glau in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 105079th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Glau, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.5%) and Two or More Races (2.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Glau
The surname GLAU is believed to have originated in Germany, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old German word "glau", which means "bright" or "shining". This suggests that the name may have been given to someone with bright or fair hair or complexion.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name GLAU can be found in the church records of the town of Schwarzenbach, located in Bavaria, Germany. In 1583, a man named Hans GLAU was listed as a resident of the town.
In the 17th century, the GLAU name appears to have spread to other parts of Germany, including the regions of Saxony and Brandenburg. A notable figure from this time was Johann GLAU (1638-1717), a Lutheran theologian and author who served as a pastor in the town of Großenhain, near Dresden.
The GLAU surname also has a connection to the city of Erfurt in Thuringia, Germany. In the 18th century, a family of GLAU merchants and traders were prominent members of the city's guild system. One of these merchants, Friedrich GLAU (1723-1794), was a successful businessperson and landowner.
As the GLAU name spread throughout Germany, it also found its way into other parts of Europe. In the late 19th century, a man named Karl GLAU (1856-1924) was a respected painter and art teacher in Vienna, Austria.
Another notable figure with the GLAU surname was Wilhelm GLAU (1887-1945), a German politician and member of the Nazi Party. He served as the Gauleiter (regional leader) of the Gau of Saxony during the Third Reich.
While the GLAU name has its roots in Germany, it has also been found in other countries over the centuries. For example, in the 19th century, there were records of GLAU families living in the United States, particularly in the state of Pennsylvania, which had a significant German immigrant population.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Glau
Among Census respondents with the surname Glau, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.5%) and Two or More Races (2.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Glau bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Glau surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.3%
- Hispanic or Latino3.5%
- Two or more races2.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Glau surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #105,079 | #105,079 | 0.0% |
| Count | 170 | 170 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Glau bearers went from 170 to 170 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #105,079 to #105,079.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Glau
FAQ
Glau surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Glau?
The surname Glau holds position #105,079 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Glau surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Glau, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.5%) and Two or More Races (2.9%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.