Map of Switzerland showing where the Högger arms are recorded
The Högger arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Högger Family in Switzerland
The surname Högger is rooted in the linguistic traditions of the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, likely originating as a descriptive name for a person who lived near a rugged hill or a jagged piece of land. The term is derived from the Middle High German word "hocke," which relates to high or pointed terrain. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Bern, where records confirm their residency by 1745. During this period, families in Bern were often integrated into the local guild systems or trade networks that defined the city’s social structure. As the family settled into urban life, they became part of the long history of Swiss citizens who contributed to the administrative and commercial development of the region. Their presence in Bern suggests that they were part of a stable, established community that valued record-keeping and civic participation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hag
An enclosed area, hedge, or fenced piece of land.
This name
HöggerRefers to a person who lived near or worked within a fenced enclosure or hedge.
also spelled
Hoegger
Hoger
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, 2002
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Bürgerrodel der Stadt Bern, 1745
Schweizerisches Idiotikon, Schweizerisches Idiotikon: Wörterbuch der schweizerdeutschen Sprache, 1881
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
