Gless
The surname Gless may derive from a variation of the German word "gleis," referring to a path or track.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 308 Americans carry the last name Gless. That puts it at #70,833 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.09 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,112,839 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Gless 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
308
1 in 1,112,839
Census rank
#70,833
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
276
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 276 bearers of the surname Gless in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 70833rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gless, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.7%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gless
The surname Gless is believed to have originated in Germany, specifically in the southern regions near the Bavarian Alps. It is thought to be derived from the Old High German word "glasi," which means "glassy" or "vitreous." This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with glass, such as a glassblower or glasscutter.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Gless name can be found in the Frankish Chronicles, a series of historical documents dating back to the 6th century AD. These chronicles mention a glassmaker named Glesarius, who was commissioned to create stained glass windows for a church in the region.
In the 12th century, the name appears in the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of medieval documents from the Holy Roman Empire. This document references a nobleman named Heinrich Gless, who owned a glassworks in the town of Augsburg.
During the 15th century, a famous glassmaker named Hans Gless gained recognition for his intricate and ornate glassware. His works were highly prized by royalty and nobility across Europe, and he is considered one of the most skilled artisans of the Renaissance era.
In the 17th century, a village called Glessen (now part of modern-day Germany) was named after a local family with the surname Gless. This village is mentioned in several historical records, indicating that the Gless name had become well-established in the region.
One notable individual with the Gless surname was Johann Gless, a German philosopher and theologian who lived from 1651 to 1717. He is known for his contributions to the field of natural theology and his writings on the relationship between science and religion.
Another individual worth mentioning is Friedrich Gless, a German architect and urban planner who lived from 1816 to 1892. He was responsible for the design and construction of several notable buildings and public spaces in major cities across Germany.
In more recent times, the Gless surname has been associated with various professions, including artists, musicians, and academics. However, as per your request, this report focuses primarily on the historical origins and early recorded instances of the name.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gless
Among Census respondents with the surname Gless, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.7%.
The bar chart below shows how Gless 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 Gless surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gless 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 | #70,833 | #70,833 | 0.0% |
| Count | 276 | 276 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Gless bearers went from 276 to 276 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #70,833 to #70,833.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Gless
FAQ
Gless surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gless?
The surname Gless holds position #70,833 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 308 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Gless surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gless, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.7%. 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.