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.Historisch-Biographisches, VI, p. 522Family History ¶ 9, 10
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.Family History ¶ 10
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.History of Invasion, p. 115Swiss CantonsRulers, Index 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 gave the hereditary title of Baron and a coat of arms to the "black" de Steigers, including Christoph, eight de Steiger males, and their descendants.Steiger Family Patent They would have baronies in Montricher and Monnaz, in Vaud, and numerous estates in Bern.Almanach, p. 547Nobilities of Europe, p. 98 Their coat of arms still appears today on the walls of the Château de Chillon. Niklaus is buried in a cathedral in Bern.
Principal residences and estates Manor of Tschugg (canton of Bern), built 1766–1771 by Schultheiss Niklaus Friedrich von Steiger in late-Louis XVI style; still owned by the family. Château de Montricher (Vaud), baronial seat after 1714. Château de Monnaz (Vaud), acquired 1720. Houses in the Junkerngasse (nos. 15, 21, 37, 51) and Herrengasse in Bern’s old town. Seigneuries of Belp, Bolligen, Ostermundigen, and partial rights in Kehrsatz and Rubigen.
Notable members Niklaus Friedrich von Steiger (1729–1799), Swiss politician Johann Rudolf de Steiger (1778–1834), Swiss-American colonist Edmund von Steiger (1836–1908), Swiss clergyman and politician Eduard von Steiger (1881–1962), Swiss politician Louis R. de Steiguer (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. , 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