Gy
Origin of the name Gy
The forms « Gyez » (1227) and « Giez » (1289) are recorded. The name reportedly comes from the Latin personal name Gaius followed by the suffix -acum, designating a rural estate that belonged to a certain Gaius.[1]
Founding of Gy
The estate of Gy, which perhaps goes back to a Gallo-Roman villa, belonged before 1227 to the lands of the priory of Saint-Victor in Genève. Nobody knows who founded the village. At the Reformation, Bern seized the priory's rights and in 1544, after Basel's withdrawal, was granted the rights of high justice. The first Reformed temple in the Genève countryside was built here in 1609-1611. The Treaty of Turin of 1754 granted Genève full rights over the mandement of Jussy, to which Gy belongs. In 1798 Jussy became a Genève municipality, including the hamlet of Gy, until the creation of the municipality of Gy on 9 November 1850.[1]
History of Gy
1227. First mention in the form « Gyez ». Before this date the estate already belongs to the lands of the priory of Saint-Victor in Genève.[1]
1289. Mention in the form « Giez ».[1]
Reformation. At the Reformation, Bern seizes the rights of the priory of Saint-Victor.[1]
1544. After Basel's withdrawal, Bern is granted the rights of high justice.[1]
1609-1611. Construction at Gy of the first Reformed temple in the Genève countryside.[1]
1754. The Treaty of Turin grants Genève full rights over the mandement of Jussy, to which Gy belongs.[1]
1798. Jussy becomes a Genève municipality, which includes the hamlet of Gy.[1]
1850. Creation of the municipality of Gy, on 9 November, separated from Jussy.[1]
2000. The mainly rural municipality has about ten farms (crops, livestock, viticulture), as well as a joinery and a cabinetmaking workshop.[1]
Population of Gy
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1860 | 189 |
| 1900 | 215 |
| 1950 | 141 |
| 2000 | 370 |
| 2025 | 582 |
Historic sites in Gy
Temple of Gy. First Reformed temple in the Genève countryside, built in 1609-1611.[1]
Prés de Villette nature reserve. Nature reserve of 24 hectares.[1]
Jussy woods. Part of the large forest area (about 1'500 hectares) to which the Jussy woods belong extends over the municipality, as well as over Jussy, Presinge and neighbouring France.[2]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Gy » (Catherine Santschi), version de 2004 remaniée le 18.03.2008
- Commune de Jussy, plan directeur communal, chapitre A « État des lieux » (forêts), vers 2009 (ge.ch)
- Office cantonal de la statistique (OCSTAT), Mémento statistique du canton de Genève 2026, tableau Population résidante par commune, en 2025
- geo.admin.ch, service de recherche de swisstopo (coordonnées)
Other villages near Gy
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