Glass

Glass or Glaß is a surname with several sources. It can be English, German, Russian/Slavic, Irish or Scottish. Many with the last name Glass, are of eastern European descent, where Glass is a shortened version of their original last name. It is also a Jewish surname, adopted by some Eastern European Ashkenazi in the nineteenth century. After being forced by the authorities to take on a surname, Jews in this area typically chose names referring to places, animals, occupations or signifying personal traits. The name Glass referred to Glass-making, Glazing and the Glass trade.