Gingins

Origin of the name Gingins

The name already appears in its present form, «Gingins», in 1144-1159. It is said to come from the Latin personal name «Gimius» or «Gimmius», with the Latin suffix of ownership «-anum» (to be cross-checked). The inhabitants are called Ginginois.

Founding of Gingins

No source consulted says who founded the village. The area was inhabited in Roman times: remains have been found here, including those of a lead foundry, and perhaps a road (the Vy d'Etraz). The municipality places the origin of the village at the beginning of the 12th century (to be cross-checked). In the 12th century a Gingins family is recorded, a branch of the lords of Divonne. At first an allodial estate, the lordship was taken as a fief from Savoy in 1319; the present castle was built around 1440.

History of Gingins

Roman period. Remains, including a lead foundry, and perhaps a road, the Vy d'Etraz.

12th century. A Gingins family, a branch of the Divonne, is recorded.

1144-1159. First mention of the name, in the form «Gingins».

1312. A treaty between lords and abbots on the boundaries of the mountain pastures mentions Gingins (to be cross-checked).

1319. The lordship, until then an allodial estate, is taken as a fief from Savoy.

around 1440. Construction of the present castle.

1535. Battle of Gingins, prelude to the conquest of the region by Bern (to be cross-checked).

1659. End of the Gingins family's possession of the lordship.

1664. The Bernese hold the lordship until 1757 and incorporate it into the bailiwick of Bonmont.

18th century. The community is governed by a council of eight members.

1764. The village has 237 inhabitants.

1798. Gingins is attached to the district of Nyon.

1862-1864. The municipality has to cede land in the Dappes valley, following the exchange of territory between France and Switzerland.

1948. The municipality adopts the coat of arms of the Gingins family (to be cross-checked).

1970s-1980s. The mainly agricultural municipality becomes residential; the share of commuters rises.

1994-2004. The castle stables house the Neumann Foundation (glass, Art Nouveau).

2000. The municipality has 1'037 inhabitants.

2025. The municipality has 1'241 inhabitants on 31 December.

Population of Gingins

Population of Gingins

1764	237
1850	397
1900	377
1950	376
1980	630
2000	1'037
2025	1'241

Historic sites in Gingins

Gingins castle. The present castle was built around 1440, seat of a lordship held by the Gingins family until 1659, then by the Bernese from 1664 to 1757. From 1994 to 2004 its stables housed the Neumann Foundation, devoted to glass and Art Nouveau.

Church of Saint-Laurent. Church of a parish that includes Gingins, Chéserex and, after the Reformation, Grens, with a chapel of ease at Trélex. The poor fund was administered jointly by all the villages of the parish.

Musée romand de la machine agricole. Museum devoted to agricultural machinery, located in the municipal territory.

Remains in Gingins

Roman remains. Remains from the Roman period have been found in Gingins, notably those of a lead foundry.

Vy d'Etraz. A Roman road, the Vy d'Etraz, perhaps crossed the municipal territory.

Legends of Gingins

The Sèche-Chrétiens. The Ginginois are nicknamed the Sèche-Chrétiens because of a legend: a vagrant, invited to spend the night in the communal bread oven, is said to have nearly been roasted inside it the next morning by the baker.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse (version italienne), « Gingins »
• Commune de Gingins, « L'origine et le territoire »
• Wikipédia, « Gingins »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Other villages near Gingins

• Chéserex (VD)
• Trélex (VD)
• Grens (VD)
• Givrins (VD)
• Signy-Avenex (VD)