Soltis & Bilina Families

Variations include:  Soltisz, Soltese, Soltysz,  Šoltys 

The Soltis surname is an occupational status name that means "village headman" or "mayor."  In the medieval period (1400s-1500s), a sołtys was a powerful position. When a landlord or king wanted to establish a new settlement under German law (often called Magdeburg Law), they appointed a colonial agent to recruit settlers, clear the land, and divide the plots.  The role carried significant social status and came with distinct privileges: judicial authority, Tax Collection, and Land Ownership and may have been a hereditary position.

The etymological root is actually German. It was adapted from the Middle High German word Schultheiß (or Schulz), which combined sculd- (debt/obligation) and -heizan (to command) — literally meaning "the person who assigns obligations" or a magistrate. 

The Bilina surname (Balina or Belina) originating from the borderlands of southern Poland and northern Slovakia is primarily a descriptive nickname meaning "white," "light," or "fair."  The etymology and history of the name stem from Polish: biały or Slovak: biely.  In the regional dialects of southern Poland (such as the Goral dialects) and northern Slovakia, this root evolved into Bilina or Belina. It was originally bestowed upon a man with fair hair, an exceptionally pale complexion, or a light beard. 

The name could also be a habitational marker indicating that the family originally came from a specific town or nature landmark. In the northern Slovakia and Czech border regions, several geographical features bear this name. For instance, it could denote someone living near the Bílina river or a village named Belina (located in southern/central Slovakia). The geographical names themselves share the same root, meaning "white river" or a "clear/bald clearing in the woods." 

This particular branch is from the Poland and Slovakia borderland area once belonging to Austria Hungary, then ceded to Poland.  

Kolodzey Connection

The Soltis-Bilina family is DNA matched to the Kolodzey descendants. 

Motto

Slovak: „Moc z mądrości, światło z prawdy“ 

English: “Strength from wisdom, light from truth. ”

 Crest Description 

 Shield divided vertically: azure on the left for justice and leadership, argent on the right for purity and clarity. At the center, a golden hammer and scroll crossed symbolize governance and law under Magdeburg tradition. Above them, a silver sunburst radiates light — the Bilina “white river” and the clarity of truth. At the base, a green Carpathian hill with a white river flowing through it represents the borderland origins of both families. The helm bears a gold crown, surmounted by a silver quill and hammer crossed, with blue and white mantling trimmed in gold. Supporter Dexter a white stallion, symbolizing noble leadership and purity, and sinister a brown griffin, representing vigilance and justice. Both stand upon a compartment of mountain stones and river reeds, marking the Carpathian frontier.