Herzog

This article is about the German title. For other uses, seeHerzog (disambiguation).

Herzog(pronounced[ˈhɛʁtsoːk];feminineHerzogin[ˈhɛʁtsoːɡɪn];masculine pluralHerzöge;feminine pluralHerzoginnen) is aGerman hereditary titleheld by one who rules a territorial duchy, exercisesfeudalauthority over anestatecalled aduchy,or possesses a right by law or tradition to be referred to by the ducal title. The word is usually translated by the Englishdukeand the Latindux.Generally, aHerzogranks below akingand above aGraf('count').Whether the title is deemed higher or lower than titles translated into English asprince(Fürst) is dependent upon the language, country, and era in which the titles coexisted.

History

Herzogis not related toHerz(lit. 'heart'), but is derived from theMiddle High GermanHer-meaning 'army' and-zogmeaning 'to move' or 'to pull' (related to the modern English verbtug), a military leader (compare to Slavicvoivode).Herandzogare roots of the modern German wordsHeerandziehenof the same meanings (also:in die Schlacht ziehen,'to go into battle'). It may have originated from theProto-GermanicHarjatugô,a warrior who was elected to be a battle leader by their tribes. Thus,Herzogwas a title borne byGermanicwarriors who exercised military authority over a tribe by general acclaim among its members or warriors,especially in thestem duchies.

During the medieval era, some of the most powerfulvassalswhose territories lay within the boundaries of theHoly Roman Empiretook or were granted the title ofHerzogby the Holy Roman Emperor. Several dynasties, such as theHabsburgsof Austria,Hohenzollernsof Prussia,Welfsof Hanover,Wettinsof Saxony,Wittelsbachsof Bavaria, and theHouse of Württemberg,held theHerzogswürde('dukedom') before becoming kings.

Although aHerzogranked below aKurfürst('prince-elector') within the Empire, he also belonged by hereditary right to theFürstenbank('Chamber of Princes,'lit. 'princely seat') within theReichstag,exercisedLandeshoheitwithin hisimperial state,and enjoyedReichsunmittelbarkeitwithin the Empire. Therefore,Herzögewere regarded as members of thehoher Adel(lit. 'high nobility') whose families inter-married with sovereign dynasties outside as well as within the Empire. They ranked as royalty, distinct from nobles who were subject to a lessersuzerainthan the Emperor.

Occasionally, the Emperor conferred the title ofHerzogon a nobleman who was not necessarily aPrince of the Holy Roman Empireand did not rule a duchy. Such a person ranked only as aTitularherzog('duke-by-title') of the German non-reigning nobility.

• 
  Herzogskrone,theheraldic crownof aHerzog
• 
  Herzogshut,the ducal hat of aHerzog

Current usage

Herzogis the root of many words of the same meaning in other Germanic languages, including Danish and Norwegianhertug,Dutch and Afrikaanshertog,Icelandichertogi,LuxembourgishHerzog,and Swedishhertig.

Herzogwas borrowed into other European language families with the chief meaning of the word being 'duke,' for example, byBalto-Slavic languagessuch as Belarusianhiercah(герцаг), theEastern Herzegovinian dialectsherceg(херцег;e.g.Herzegovina), Bulgariankhertsog(херцог), Latvianhercogs,Lithuanianhercogas,and Russiangertsog(герцог); byFinno-Ugric languagessuch as Estonianhertsog,Finnishherttua,and Hungarianherceg;and byKartvelian languagessuch as Georgianherts’ogi(ჰერცოგი).

The semantic equivalent ofHerzogin Slavic languages isvoivodeorвоевода,wherevoi-means 'army' and-vodemeans 'to lead' or 'to guide.' Both the Germanic and Slavic terms are used for place names within the Slavic-speaking world, as with thehistorical regionofHerzegovinain modernBosnia and Herzegovinaand theautonomous provinceofVojvodinainSerbia.

Herzogis not uncommon as a surname in German-speaking countries. The surname does not indicate an aristocratic origin, much like the family nameKingin English does not indicate royal ancestry. Among notable people with this surname, most are born of Swiss or German origin. A number are Israeli.

See also

• Dukes in Italy, Germany and Austria
• Voivode
• König
• German nobility
• German honorifics
• Herzog (surname)