The House of Zähringen was a dynasty of Swabian nobility. The family's name derived from Zähringen Castle near Freiburg im Breisgau. The Zähringer in the 12th century used the title of Duke of Zähringen, in compensation for having conceded the title of Duke of Swabia to the Staufer in 1098. The Zähringer were granted the special title of Rector of Burgundy in 1127, and they continued to use both titles until the extinction of the ducal line in 1218.
Seal of Berthold IV (r. 1152–1186)
Zähringen Castle, c. 1500
Berthold V, shown on the Zähringer monument in Bern, Switzerland
Zähringen attributed arms in a stained glass window by Hans Reichle (c. 1570–1642) in Freiburg town hall. There are two traditions of attributed arms, either or an eagle displayed gules (shown here) or gules a lion rampant or, based on the respective coats of arms used in the later medieval period by the counts of Freiburg who claimed the Zähringer inheritance (ancestors of the House of Fürstenberg).
The Duchy of Swabia was one of the five stem duchies of the medieval German Kingdom. It arose in the 10th century in the southwestern area that had been settled by Alemanni tribes in Late Antiquity.
Stem duchies of the German kingdom 919–1125, by William R. Shepherd: Swabia in light orange
