The de Steiger family (or de Steiguer, von Steiger, von Steiguer) was a Bernese

patrician Patrician may refer to: * Patrician (ancient Rome), the original aristocratic families of ancient Rome, and a synonym for "aristocratic" in modern English usage * Patrician (post-Roman Europe), the governing elites of cities in parts of medieval ...

family of the Swiss ''ancien régime''.

Origins

The origin of the family dates back to Johannes Steiger (1523–1577), a tailor in

Bern german: Berner(in)french: Bernois(e) it, bernese , neighboring_municipalities = Bremgarten bei Bern, Frauenkappelen, Ittigen, Kirchlindach, Köniz, Mühleberg, Muri bei Bern, Neuenegg, Ostermundigen, Wohlen bei Bern, Zollikofen , website ...

, 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. Tschugg Von Steiger 2

Government service

Johannes's sons would serve on the Bernese councils, paving the way for future generations to serve in the government.Historisch-Biographisches, volume VI, p. 522 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. A notable "black" de Steiger was

Niklaus Friedrich von Steiger Niklaus Friedrich von Steiger (17 May 1729 – 3 December 1799) was a Swiss politician. From 1787 to 1798 he was elected Schultheiss (chief magistrate) of Bern, Switzerland. He was the leader of the political faction that resisted the French i ...

, the Schultheiss of Bern, and leader of the Bernese senate during French invasion in 1798.Swiss Cantons Another was Sigmund Emanuel von Steiger (1666–1725), member of the Great Council of Bern, and married to Countess Dorothea von Graffenried.de Steiger pictures

Prussian nobility

In 1714, King

Frederick William I of Prussia Frederick William I (german: Friedrich Wilhelm I.; 14 August 1688 – 31 May 1740), known as the "Soldier King" (german: Soldatenkönig), was King in Prussia and Elector of Brandenburg from 1713 until his death in 1740, as well as Prince of Neuch ...

gave the hereditary title of

Baron Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than a lord or knig ...

and a coat of arms to the "black" de Steigers, including Christoph, eight de Steiger males, and their descendants. They would have baronies in Montricher and Monnaz, in Vaud, and numerous estates in Bern.Nobilities of Europe, p. 98 Their coat of arms still appears today on the walls of the

Château de Chillon Chillon Castle (french: Château de Chillon) is an island castle located on Lake Geneva, south of Veytaux in the canton of Vaud. It is situated at the eastern end of the lake, on the narrow shore between Montreux and Villeneuve, which gives acce ...

. Niklaus is buried in a cathedral in Bern.

Notable members

(1729–1799), Swiss politician *

Johann Rudolf de Steiger Baron Johann Rudolf de Steiger (or de Steiguer) (1778–1834) was a Swiss nobleman who immigrated to the United States in the 19th century. Early life Johann was born into a Bernese noble family of the Ancien Régime of Switzerland. He was the son ...

(1778–1834), Swiss-American colonist * Edmund von Steiger (1836–1908), Swiss clergyman and politician *

Eduard von Steiger Eduard von Steiger (2 July 1881, in Langnau im Emmental – 10 February 1962) was a Swiss politician and member of the Swiss Federal Council (1940–1951). He studied law at the universities of Geneva, Leipzig and Berne. He became a member of t ...

(1881–1962), Swiss politician *

Louis R. de Steiguer Admiral Louis Rodolph de Steiguer (March 18, 1867 – April 20, 1947) was an officer in the United States Navy, U.S. Navy. He was Commander of the Battle Fleet, U.S. Battle Fleet from 1927 to 1928. Early career Born in Athens, Ohio, on March 18, ...

(1867–1947), American Naval officer

Notes

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, 978-1-4021-8561-8 * Hintze, Rhett

Unknown. 14 dec 2008 * Hintze, Rhett.

Unknown. 14 dec 2008 * Schemmel, B

1995-1998. dec 14 2008. * Schemmel, B

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 Surnames Families of Bern Swiss noble families