The first inhabitants of Schiermonnikoog were said to be the Cistercian monks of the Claercamp monastery from Friesland, who settled on the island in the Middle Ages. The island owes its name to these gray-robed monks: ‘nigh’ means ‘gray’ and ‘eye’ means ‘island’: gray monk island.
In 1580, at the time of the Reformation, the States of Friesland became the owner of the island. They leased the land, but the proceeds were very disappointing, resulting in large debts. There was also unrest on the island at that time, which was reason to sell Schiermonnikoog in 1638. Until 1859 the island was then owned by the family Stachouwer, later Van Starkenborgh-Stachouwer. This family laid the foundation for the shape of the village Schiermonnikoog as we know it today, built up in regions. A large number of street names such as Voorstreek, Middenstreek, Langestreek and Noorderstreek are reminders of this characteristic village layout.