The village was first mentioned in the 12th century as "in Glemmene". Officially the etymology is unknown, however the current Dutch words translates as "gleaming/sparkling". Glimmen is an
esdorp which developed in the Early Middle Ages on the
Hondsrug between
Groningen and
Assen. The village never became an independent parish. Huis te Glimmen is a manor house surrounded by a moat. Parts of the estate are from the 16th century. It probably received its current form in 1824, and a large park was added to the estate which was later named Quintusbos after the 1881 owner. The building is still a privately owned residential home. Huize Weltevreden was built in 1828 as an
inn. In 1828, it was rebuilt in
neoclassic style as an estate. Since 1865, it serves as a retirement home. After World War II, it became a suburb of Groningen. In 2018, Glimmen became part of the municipality of
Groningen. ==Notable people==