The de Steiger family (or de Steiguer, von Steiger, von Steiguer) was a Bernese patrician family of the Swiss ancien régime.
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]
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.[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 Dorothea von Graffenried.[8]
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.[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]