Pfyffer

Pfyffer is a Swiss family and surname, originally members of the patriciate of the city of Lucerne.

The family is descended from Johannes Pfyffer, who received Lucerne citizenship in 1483 and was a member of the lesser city council from 1508, and his son Leodegar Pfyffer, who was the treasurer of Lucerne.

One of Leodegar's four sons was Ludwig Pfyffer (1524–1594) who established Lucerne as the leading Catholic canton in the reaction to the Swiss Reformation.

Ludwig Pfyffer had substantial political and military influence both in Switzerland and France, and was popularly called the "king of the Swiss".

Commanders of the Pontifical Swiss Guard: Other notable people with the name:

Ludwig Pfyffer (1524–1594), portrait in Heidegg castle .