FRDEITEN
Villages / Bern / Former Moutier district / Seehof

Seehof

Canton of Bern · Former district: Moutier · 63 inhabitants (31.12.2025)
Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Population over time Must-see historical sites Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Seehof

The place is recorded in 1540 as «Seehoft», then in 1673 as «Eslay». The French name Elay remained official until 1914, when the German form Seehof replaced it.[1][2]

Founding of Seehof

Seehof is a scattered settlement in the valley of the same name. The municipality comprises Seehof, the hamlets of Bächlen, Karlisberg and Stägen, and isolated farms. It belonged to the provostship of Moutier-Grandval, in the prince-bishopric of Basel. German speakers have been the majority since 1840 and still made up 91 % of the inhabitants in 2000. Catholics belong to the parish of Vermes. Away from the main routes, Seehof has remained a rural village.[1][2]

History of Seehof

1540. The place appears as «Seehoft». It belongs to the provostship of Moutier-Grandval, in the prince-bishopric of Basel.[1]

16th century. Seehof remains Catholic after the Reformation.[1][2]

1673. The name is recorded as «Eslay».[1]

1784. A school is mentioned for the first time.[1][2]

1797-1813. The municipality belongs to the French department of Mont-Terrible, then to that of Haut-Rhin.[1]

1815. Seehof is attached to the canton of Bern.[1]

1840. German speakers become the majority in the municipality.[2]

1880. 97 % of the inhabitants speak German. The share reaches 98 % in 1910.[1]

1914. The French name Elay, official until then, gives way to the German form Seehof, with the backing of the Bernese government.[1][2]

1920. Protestants now form the majority. They belong to the parish of Grandval and to the German-speaking parish of Moutier.[1][2]

1969. A new school building is put up.[1][2]

Population of Seehof

Sources and references: [1][3]

Population of Seehof
1850202
1900126
195099
200079
202563

Historic sites in Seehof

Hamlets. Besides Seehof, the municipality includes the hamlets of Bächlen, Karlisberg and Stägen, and isolated farms.[1][2]

School. School recorded from 1784, whose present building dates from 1969.[1][2]

Sources

  1. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Seehof » (François Wisard), version du 22.03.2018
  2. Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, « Seehof » (François Wisard, traduction Ernst Grell), version du 22.03.2018
  3. Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, population résidante permanente au 31.12.2025

Other villages near Seehof

Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.

Suggest a change