Recorded as Glaum and Glauman, this is a surname of German origins. It is also one which has been recorded in England since mid Victorian times. The origin is uncertain, but is believed to be locational from a place called Glaum, which may be a "lost" medieval village. A very large number of European surnames do originate from such places, of which the only memory in the late 20th century is usually the surname itself. In addition there is a problem in parts of Germany with early recordings. Many registers and charters did not survive the Second World War of 1939 - 1945, and in consequence much useful information leading to the early research into a particular surname has been totally lost. In this case we do have recordings from the 18th century in Germany, and an example of these is that of Conradus Glaum, who was recorded at Bad Duerne Roman Catholic church, Pfalz, Bayern, on July 25th 1797. Later in England Henry Jacob Glaum was a christening witness at St James church, Bermondsey, on July 18th 1847, and Conrad Glaum, possibly the brother of Henry, whose daughter Hannah was christened at the same church on September 3rd 1848.