Our PRlLL lineage started as BRILL in Germany. I have never been able to ascertain if the BRILL's in Germany were nobility, but the possibility is more than likely since I have been able to trace the lineage to the 16th century. Unfortunately, the peasants would not be traceable to the 16th century. It is also likely my BRILL ancestors were early followers of Martin Luther. Continuing through the generations to the New World the BRILL or PRILL family had close ties to the Lutheran faith.

Generation 1.
Johannes BRILL ??
Spouse Unknown
Issue of Johannes:Leonhard BRILL

Generation 2.
Leonhard BRILL 1555-1632
Katherine HEYLMANN 1556-1600
Issue of Leonhard and Katherine:Moses, Simon, Euticha, Jakob, Margaretha, Johannes and Peter Zimmerman

Generation 3.
Peter Zimmerman BRILL 1586-1647
Maria DIEHL 1590-?
Issue of Peter and Maria:Nickel, Hans Godtmann Simon, Johannes, Engel, Elans Nickel

Generation 4.
Hans Godtmann Simon BRILL 1617-1681
Maria WEYRICH 1620-1719
Issue of Hans and Maria:Anna Elizabetha, Appalonia, Hans Dieboldt, Willhelm Daniel and Johann Adam

Generation 5.
Johann Adam BRILL 1630-1714
Anna Susannah KUNPRES 1632-1714
Issue of Johann and Susannah:Johann Peter, Mathias, Maria, Anna Maria, Anna, Adam, Johann Nicholas, Willhelm, Margaretha and Elizabetha

Generation 6.
Mathias BRILL 1676-1711
Angela GORGES 1677-1745
Issue of Mathias and Angela:John Adam, John Nuesius, Maria, Maria Margaret Neusuius, Mathias, Anna Margaret, Gerard, Martin and Anna Margaretha

Generation 7
Martin BRILL 1710-1791 (The Immigrant)
Anna Maria MAURER 1712-1815 (The Immigrant)
Issue of Martin and Anna:Andrew, Christopher, Anna Maria, Johannes, John and Maria Magdalena. Christopher and Johannes accompanied parents to the New World)

Generation 8.
Johannes BRILL 1751-?
Maria Elizabeth RUSS 1754- 1840
Issue of Johannes and Maria:Michael, John, Mary, Catherine, Nancy, Cristena, Magdalena, Lewis Ervin and Levi

Generation 9.
Michael PRILL 1777-1850 (Note change in surname)
Elizabeth ABERNATHY 1782-1871
Issue of Michael and Elizabeth:Samuel, Ann, Mary Matilda, John C, William A and Elizabeth

Generation 10.
Samuel PRILL 1807-1900
Rebecca HAMMER 1817-1899
Issue of Samuel and Rebecca:Salina, James H, Caroline, John, Theodore Fred and Leander

Generation 11.
Theodore Fred PRILL 1850-1941
Mary Evalyn EDWARDS 1858-1950
Issue of Theodore and Mary:Lewis Merton, Margaretta Lula, Charles Otis, Mamie Veda. and Fred Laverne

Generation 12.
Mamie Veda PRILL 1901-1998
Clarence Roy MCKINNON 1889-1959

Footnote: I Dale MCKINNON, son of Mamie Veda PRILL remember Theodore Fred PRILL very well. I was a small boy and remember grandpa as a quiet and reserved gentleman. As I remnember he neither smoked or drank. My mother said grandpa remembered the CIVIL WAR very well and could recount stories he knew of the war. As an adult he drilled water wells in Ohio and then moved to Iowa where he met and married my grandmother. They are both buried in Casper Wyoming. Finally, notice how long some of the BRILL or PRILL ancestors lived. I find no other lineage where long life was so apparent. My mother lived into her 97th year and her life nearly spanned the entire 20th century.