The first known owners of Schiermonnikoog were the monks of Klaarkamp Abbey, aCistercian monastery near Rinsumageest, on the mainland. "Monnik" means "monk" and "schier" is an archaic word meaning "grey", referring to the colour of the monks' habits. "oog" translates as "island". The name Schiermonnikoog therefore translates asisland of the grey monks.
The tidal current, prevailing wind and the sea cause the island to slowly "move" to the south and the east. In the year 1250, it lay roughly 2 km to the north of its present position, and it had a significantly different shape.
The oldest mention of Schiermonnikoog in writing dates from October 1440, in a document written by Philip the Good.
During the Reformation, the monasteries in the northern Netherlands were expropriated. In 1580, Schiermonnikoog became the property of the States of Friesland. Around 1640, the States sold the island to the wealthy Stachouwer family. For the next three centuries, Schiermonnikoog remained private property.
Around 1700, the population of Schiermonnikoog was divided among four villages or communities. The largest village was Westerburen, which had developed in the vicinity of the monks' buildings. In 1717 and 1720, storms flooded Westerburen, which had to be abandoned around 1725, prey to drifting sand and the advancing sea. In 1756 a new town, named Oosterburen, was built to the east. Nowadays this second village is named Schiermonnikoog, after the island. At about this time the residents revolted against Lady Catharina Maria Stachouwer, which forced the States of Friesland to send troops to protect her and restore law and order.
In August 1799, a small Royal Navy squadron under Captain Adam Mackenzie ofHMS Pylades, attacked and captured the ex-British gun-brig Crash, moored between Schiermonnikoog and Groningen. The boats of the squadron then attacked a six gun Dutch schooner Vengeance and a battery on Schiermonnikoog. The British were able to
