Origin of the surname

This very interesting surname is English. It derives from residence by a "blue" pool, of which there are examples in the counties of Hampshire and Dorset, and particularly on the Isle of Purbeck. These geographic phenomena are associated with blue clay, although the word "glas" can also imply clear or clean. There is, in fact, a village called Glaspwll near Machynlleth in Merionethshire, now Powys, Wales, but, unusually, this village does not seem to be the source of any of the modern nameholders. The epicentre of the name is Hampshire, where it has been recorded for at least four centuries. This type of name was usually given or taken when a person moved from his or her original habitation, however, in this case it is possible that the name could be job- descriptive for one who worked the blue clay. The name recordings from Hampshire include: Agnes Glaspoole, who married John Smith at Fareham, on June 25th 1598; Elizabeth Glaspole, who was christened at Hambledon, on April 5th 1688; and John Glasspool, a christening witness at Bishop's Sutton, on July 1st 1781. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Glaspoole, which was dated January 10th 1577, a christening witness at Fareham, Hampshire, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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