Show ContentsSchilly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Schilly family name comes from the from Middle High German word "schal," which means "noise," or "bragging," and as such is was thought to have originally been a nickname for a braggart, or for a market crier. The German people originally used only one name, but as the population grew there was often confusion between people of the same name. This required people to adopt hereditary surnames. Many people took surnames based on nicknames - sometimes known as eke-names - that described certain personal characteristics.

Early Origins of the Schilly family

The surname Schilly was first found in the ancient Rhineland, where this family name became associated with a notable aristocratic line of the city of Cologne. Always prominent in social affairs, the name became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation. Chronicles mention one Robert Schallo as early as 1150.

Early History of the Schilly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Schilly research. Another 148 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1387, 1592, 1666, 1745 and 1815 are included under the topic Early Schilly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schilly Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Schilly include Schall, Schaal, Schal, Schaell, Schael, Schalle, Schaller, Schallin and many more.

Early Notables of the Schilly family

More information is included under the topic Early Schilly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Schilly family

Between the 17th and 20th centuries, hundreds of thousands of Europeans came to North America, and many Rhinelanders were among them. They had many various reasons for making the choice: to escape poverty and persecution, for adventure, and for the opportunity to own their own land. Ellis Island, one of the main American immigration centers, saw many settlers as they moved on to the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, and New York. In Canada, they found homes in Ontario, and on the great plains of the Midwestern provinces. The Schilly were among of the early German families that came to North America: Simon Schaller, who came to Philadelphia in 1728; Carl Schallin, who came to Philadelphia in 1739; Johan Albrecht Schaller, who came to Philadelphia in 1737.


Contemporary Notables of the name Schilly (post 1700) +

  • Catherine "Katy" Schilly -Laetsch (b. 1956), former American long-distance runner
  • Dale Schilly, American head coach of A.C. St Louis, an American professional soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri
  • Linda Schilly, American Democratic Party politician, Presidential Elector for Missouri, 1996 1


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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