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

Glee, 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 Glee surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Glee in America

Glee is the 56836th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Glee surname appeared 359 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 Glee.

We can also compare 2010 data for Glee 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 Glee

The surname Glee originates from England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "glida," meaning a kite or a glider bird. This connection suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname for someone who moved swiftly or with a gliding motion.

The earliest known record of the surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it appears as "William le Glede." This early spelling variation reflects the name's evolution from the Old English root word.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Glyede" and "Glyde," in records from counties like Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire. These regional variations highlight the name's prevalence in the southern and central regions of England during that time.

One notable early bearer of the surname was John Glede, who was recorded as a resident of Oxfordshire in the 1379 Poll Tax records. This document provides valuable insights into the distribution and frequency of surnames in medieval England.

The Glee surname also appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, although the spelling varies slightly as "Glede." This ancient manuscript, commissioned by William the Conqueror, serves as a comprehensive record of landowners and their holdings in England at the time.

Throughout history, several individuals with the surname Glee have left their mark. Richard Glee (1555-1621) was a prominent English merchant and member of the Company of Merchant Adventurers in London. Another notable figure was Thomas Glee (1673-1742), a renowned clockmaker from London whose intricate timepieces were highly sought after by the aristocracy.

In the literary realm, William Glee (1792-1863) was a respected English poet and writer, known for his contributions to various literary publications of the time. Additionally, Henry Glee (1810-1879) was a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons.

The Glee surname also has connections to place names in England. For instance, the village of Glee in Gloucestershire may have derived its name from the Old English word "glida," suggesting a potential link to the surname's origins.

While the surname Glee is not as widespread as some others, its historical roots and evolution provide a fascinating glimpse into the rich tapestry of English nomenclature, reflecting the diverse influences and cultural influences that have shaped the country's surnames over centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Glee

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

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 Glee 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 Glee 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 Glee was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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