Moiry
Origin of the name Moiry
The place is mentioned in 1011 in the form «in villa Moriei», then in 1219 in the form «Moirie». Another source gives the form «villa Mauriaco» for the 11th century and presents the name as being of Roman origin, followed by the forms «Muerier», «Moirer» and «Moyrier», the last in the first land register of 1376 (to be cross-checked). The precise etymology is not explained by the sources consulted.
Founding of Moiry
Human presence is ancient: a cup-marked stone, attributed to the Neolithic by local tradition, and a Roman tile kiln have been found in the area. The village appears in written records at the beginning of the 11th century, when King Rudolph III of Burgundy gave a manse located at Moiry to the monastery of Romainmôtier. In the Middle Ages the village was disputed between this monastery and the lords of La Sarraz; a noble family of Moiry, which died out in the 14th century, is attested, after which the village passed into the domains of La Sarraz. In 1583 Moiry was detached from the barony of La Sarraz to form, with Cuarnens, a separate lordship, which passed to the Gingins in 1633.
History of Moiry
Neolithic. Human presence attested according to local tradition; a cup-marked stone lies near ancient routes.
Roman period. A tile kiln is in operation in the area.
1011. First written mention, «in villa Moriei».
early 11th century. King Rudolph III gives a manse at Moiry to the monastery of Romainmôtier (1011 or 1012, to be cross-checked).
1219. The name appears in the form «Moirie».
1264. Guy de Moiry accompanies Peter II of Savoy to Flanders.
14th century. The Moiry family dies out; the village passes into the domains of La Sarraz.
1376. First land register, which already mentions a mill (to be cross-checked).
1583. Moiry is detached from the barony of La Sarraz and forms a separate lordship with Cuarnens.
1598-1798. Moiry belongs to the bailiwick of Romainmôtier; the municipality is run by a Council of Twelve.
1633. The Gingins become lords of Moiry, with Michel de Gingins, and remain so until the Revolution.
1677. Plans show a gallows on a rise south of the village.
1798-2006. Moiry belongs to the district of Cossonay.
1915. The mill ceases operation.
1919. Adoption of the coat of arms, combining those of the barons of La Sarraz and of the Chanson family.
2008. With the new territorial organisation of Vaud, Moiry joins the district of Morges.
Population of Moiry
| 1764 | 196 |
| 1850 | 270 |
| 1900 | 219 |
| 1950 | 169 |
| 2000 | 202 |
| 2025 | 295 |
Historic sites in Moiry
The spring and the Iséraz. A karst spring supplies the village with water and forms the Iséraz stream, which flows through Moiry. Water power drove a mill, in operation until 1915, and still runs an entirely water-powered sawmill.
The forests of Moiry. Forests of warmth-loving species on limestone soil cover about half of the municipality's 667 hectares and supported sawmills and carpentry businesses still present at the beginning of the 21st century.
Remains in Moiry
Cup-marked stone. A stone block hollowed with small cups, located near ancient routes; local tradition sees it as evidence of human presence in the Neolithic.
Roman tile kiln. A tile kiln from the Roman period was discovered in the area, together with several kilns of undetermined date.
Craft remains. The area preserves traces of lime kilns, iron furnaces, a nail workshop and a mill, witnesses to former local activities.
Legends of Moiry
The «Epouéri». The inhabitants of Moiry are nicknamed «lè z'Epouéri», the frightened ones in Vaud patois. According to tradition, this nickname comes from the fear of the wolves that roamed the forests a few centuries ago.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Moiry »
- Commune de Moiry, « Moiry autrefois et aujourd'hui »
- Feuille des avis officiels du canton de Vaud, « Alphabet des communes vaudoises : Moiry »
- Wikipédia, « Moiry (Vaud) »
- Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Moiry
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