Map of Germany showing where the Glass arms are recorded
The Glass arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1765.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Glass arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Glass Family in Germany
The surname Glass originated as a descriptive name in the German-speaking regions of Europe, likely identifying an ancestor who worked as a glassblower or a merchant of glassware. During the medieval period, the craft of glassmaking was a highly specialized and respected trade, often passed down through generations within families who lived near the forests that provided the fuel and raw materials needed for their furnaces. By the time records place the family in Bavaria in 1765, the name was well-established among the local population. In this region, families often lived in small, tight-knit communities where their occupation defined their social standing and daily life. As the family grew, they became part of the agricultural and artisanal fabric of the Bavarian landscape, contributing to the local economy and regional history long before the modern era of record-keeping began.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a fleur-de-lis betw. three mullets within a bordure gu”
ScotlandSauchie, c. 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Scotland showing where the Glass arms are recorded
The Glass arms were recorded in Sauchie, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Germany when the Glass arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Glass Family in Scotland
The surname Glass has deep roots in Scotland, where it originated as a descriptive nickname derived from the Gaelic word *glas*, meaning pale, grey, or green. In the Scottish context, this name was often used to distinguish individuals by their physical appearance or their connection to the landscape. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a city that served as a bustling center for trade and intellectual growth during the Scottish Enlightenment. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Glass family were active participants in the urban life of the capital, likely contributing to the professional and merchant classes that defined the era. As the family moved through the generations, they became part of the broader social fabric of Scotland, transitioning from their ancient Gaelic origins into the structured society of eighteenth-century Edinburgh.
Glass Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Glaes
Old High German term for a shining or smooth substance.
This name
GlassAn occupational surname for a glassblower or a dealer in glassware.
also spelled
Jlass
Glas
Glase
Related arms
Hundt de Dorfheimsimilar arms
de Glasvariant spelling
Shawrecorded with Glass, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
bordureA difference between branches of one family
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
