De Steiger

The de Steiger family (or de Steiguer, von Steiger, von Steiguer) was a Bernese patrician family of the Swiss ancien régime.

Origins

The origin of the family dates back to Johannes Steiger (1523 - 1577), a tailor in Bern, Switzerland. They would become known as the "black" Steigers, not to be confused with the "white" Steigers, because their coat of arms depicted a black ibex. Because of French influence in the Bernese patriciate, the name is also spelled de Steiguer. The predicate "von" is used in the German presentation of the family name.[1][2]

Government service

Johannes's sons would serve on the Bernese councils, paving the way for future generations to serve in the government.[3] By 1796, they held 22 seats on various councils throughout Bern. Over time they contributed three avoyers, five treasurers, and three bannerets to Bern, and numerous bailiffs, counselors, and officers.[3][4]

A notable "black" de Steiger was Niklaus Friedrich von Steiger, the Schultheiss of Bern, and leader of the Bernese senate during French invasion in 1798.[5][6][7] Another was Sigmund Emanuel Von Steiger (1666-1725), member of the Great Council of Bern, and married to Countess Dorothia von Graffenried.[8]

Prussian nobility

In 1714, King Frederick William I of Prussia gave the hereditary title of Baron and a coat of arms to the "black" de Steigers, including Christoph,[6] eight de Steiger males, and their descendants.[9] They would have baronies in Montricher and Monnaz, in Vaud, and numerous estates in Bern.[10][11] Their coat of arms still appears today on the walls of the Château de Chillon. Niklaus is buried in a cathedral in Bern.[8]

Notes
  1. Historisch-Biographisches, VI, p. 522
  2. Family History ¶ 9, 10
  3. Historisch-Biographisches, volume VI, p. 522
  4. Family History ¶ 10
  5. History of Invasion, p. 115
  6. Swiss Cantons
  7. Rulers, Index
  8. de Steiger pictures
  9. Steiger Family Patent
  10. Almanach, p. 547
  11. Nobilities of Europe, p. 98

References
  • Historisch-Biographisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Volume VI. Neuenburg. 1921-1934.
  • "Steiger Family Patent of Nobility." Frederick William I of Prussia.
  • Almanach Geologique Suisse, Volume II.
  • Ruvigny, Melville H. "The Nobilities of Europe". Adamant Media Corporation. 2000. ISBN 1-4021-8561-8, ISBN 978-1-4021-8561-8
  • Hintze, Rhett. Family History of de Steiguer (Steiger) Family: From Johann Rudolf back 500 years. Unknown. 14 dec 2008
  • Hintze, Rhett. de Steiger Pictures. Unknown. 14 dec 2008
  • Schemmel, B. "Cantons A-F: Switzerland." 1995-1998. dec 14 2008.
  • Schemmel, B. "Index of Rulers: St-Sz" 1995-1998. dec 14 2008.
  • "The history of the invasion of Switzerland by the French, and the destruction of the democratical republics of Schwitz, Uri and Unterwalden." University of Toronto. Unknown. 14 dec 2008
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