A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ruegger family of Austria.
Reg. 7954 · Austrian, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à deux sceptres fleurdelisés d'or, passés en saut; aux 2 et 3 d'azur au chev. d'arg. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1° un vol, de gu. et d'or; l. d'or et de gu.; 2° un homme iss., hab. d'un parti d'arg. et de gu., ceint de l'un à l'autre, coiffé d'un bonnet albanais de gu., retr. d'arg., houppé d'or, tenant de sa main dextre les sceptres en saut.; l. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Austriac. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Ruegger arms are recorded
The Ruegger arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Ruegger Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Ruegger arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Ruegger Family in Austria
The family name Ruegger originates from the mountainous regions of the Alps, specifically within the historical territories of Tyrol. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "ruoc," which refers to a person who was known for being particularly calm or composed. By the year 1772, records confirm that members of the Ruegger family were well-established residents in the Tyrolean landscape. During this period, the family lived in a region defined by its rugged terrain and complex political history under the Habsburg monarchy. Many individuals with this surname worked as skilled farmers or craftsmen, adapting their daily lives to the challenging climate of the high mountain valleys. As they moved through the generations, the family maintained deep roots in these local communities, contributing to the agricultural and social development of the area long before the modern borders of Europe were finalized.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rügge
A ridge or a strip of elevated land.
This name
RueggerAn occupational or habitational name for someone living on or near a ridge.
also spelled
Rieger
Riegere
Rieggar
Reegger
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kranzmayer, Eberhard. Ortsnamenbuch von Kärnten. 1956
Schweizerisches Idiotikon. Schweizerisches Idiotikon: Wörterbuch der schweizerdeutschen Sprache. 1881
Tiroler Landesarchiv, Tiroler Steuerkataster
Tiroler Landesarchiv, Pfarrbücher der Diözese Brixen
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
