Ferreyres

Origin of the name Ferreyres

The village is mentioned in 814 as «Forrarias», then in 1011 as «Ferrieris». The sources consulted give no explicit etymology; a link with iron, worked on site from the late La Tène period, is likely but remains to be cross-checked.

Founding of Ferreyres

The site was occupied long before the Middle Ages: some twenty ironworking sites operated at the place called Bossena from the late La Tène period to the beginning of the 7th century AD, and in the village itself from the 5th century to 800. Burials from 550-750 have been found there. Before the year 1000, the church of Lausanne, the monastery of Romainmôtier and the abbey of Saint-Maurice owned property at Ferreyres. The sources consulted name no founder.

History of Ferreyres

late La Tène. Start of ironworking at the place called Bossena, which continues until the beginning of the 7th century AD.

5th century. Start of ironworking in the village itself, which lasts until around 800.

550-750. Early medieval burials.

814. First mention, «Forrarias».

before the year 1000. The church of Lausanne, the monastery of Romainmôtier and the abbey of Saint-Maurice own property at Ferreyres.

1011. Mention «Ferrieris».

11th century. The Grandson family lay claim to Ferreyres against the priory of Romainmôtier; a coin hoard from the 11th and 12th centuries has been found on site.

1130. The monks of Romainmôtier recover all their possessions.

1141. The village is joined to the barony of La Sarraz.

1536. With the Reformation, Ferreyres moves from the parish of Saint-Didier (Saint-Loup) to that of La Sarraz.

1598-1818. Ferreyres is a hamlet of La Sarraz; in the Bernese period it comes under the bailiwick of Romainmôtier.

1798. Ferreyres is assigned to the district of Cossonay.

1818. Ferreyres becomes a municipality.

2000. The village has become residential: almost three quarters of the working population are commuters.

2008. Ferreyres moves from the district of Cossonay to the new district of Morges.

Population of Ferreyres

Population of Ferreyres

1764	115
1850	164
1880	194
1900	157
1950	147
1980	125
1990	147
2000	222
2025	308

Historic sites in Ferreyres

Le Croset. On the Venoge, a sawmill replaced a former seigneurial mill of the lordship of La Sarraz.

Village. The village of Ferreyres is listed in the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance (ISOS) (to be cross-checked).

Remains in Ferreyres

Bossena ironworking sites. Some twenty ironworking sites operated at the place called Bossena from the late La Tène period to the beginning of the 7th century AD, and in the village from the 5th century to 800.

Burials and coin hoard. Burials dated 550-750 and a hoard of coins from the 11th and 12th centuries have been found at Ferreyres.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Ferreyres »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
• Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
• Wikipédia, « Ferreyres »
• Wikipedia (en), « Ferreyres »

Other villages near Ferreyres

• Chevilly (VD)
• Pompaples (VD)
• La Sarraz (VD)
• Juriens (VD)
• Moiry (VD)