hochsteward

Hochsteward is a term that can be understood as a high-ranking steward, combining the German word hoch meaning "high" with the English title steward. The compound suggests a senior official responsible for managing a household, estate, or financial affairs on behalf of a ruler or noble household. Variants and spellings may vary, and the term is not widely attested as a formal, widely used office in historical records.

Historically, the steward or steward-like official was a key administrator in feudal and early modern households. Duties commonly included oversight of domestic staff, provision of supplies, management of finances, and supervision of estates. In larger courts or noble households, a high steward would serve as the principal deputy to the sovereign or principal administrator, sometimes acting as a representative in regional matters. The concept is closely related to offices such as seneschal, majordomo, or chamberlain, depending on the jurisdiction and period.

In onomastics and contemporary usage, hochsteward more often appears as a rare surname or a coined title in fiction rather than a standard modern job. As a surname, it would typically reflect an ancestral association with an office of high stewardship in German-speaking areas or as an adapted form in multilingual contexts. In fantasy, historical, or game settings, hochsteward is sometimes used as a noble rank or senior administrative position within a royal court or large estate.

See also: High steward; Steward; Seneschal; Court office; House of Stewart/Stewart.