Roman

Origin of the name Roman

First written mention in 1198, in the form «Romans». The hamlet is divided into Roman-Dessus and Roman-Dessous (formerly «Romans-Dessus» and «Romans-Dessous»). The origin of the name is not explained in the sources consulted.

Founding of Roman

Roman is not a municipality: it is a hamlet of the municipality of Lonay, in the district of Morges. None of the sources consulted names a founder. Early medieval graves (6th-8th century) have been discovered at Roman-Dessus, and the villages and hamlets of the area, including Romans, are said to have formed slowly between the 6th and 8th centuries (to be cross-checked). In the Middle Ages Romans was a locality separate from Lonay, 200 m west of the church, with a small street lined with houses that have since disappeared. It had a chapel of Saint-Maurice, a daughter church of the parish church of Lonay, and the religious of La Chaux had a house there, at Romans-Dessous.

History of Roman

6th-8th century. Graves at Roman-Dessus, containing among other things bracelets, a sword, earthenware vessels and a small balance; the cemetery may include a La Tène grave.

1198. First written mention, in the form «Romans».

14th century. A chapel of Saint-Maurice is attested at Roman.

1453. The commissioners of the parish visitation inspect the chapel of Saint-Maurice of Romans, which they describe as a daughter church of the parish church of Lonay.

1536-end of the 17th century. The cemetery of Saint-Germain, in Lonay, is turned into a public square; the dead are henceforth carried to Romans, to the top of the hill where the chapel stood.

around 1677. The old tower of Roman-Dessous is converted into a manor house.

18th century. The Roman-Dessous house is remodelled.

around 1800. A western loggia is added to the Roman-Dessous house.

Historic sites in Roman

Roman-Dessous. Former tower converted into a manor house around 1677, remodelled in the 18th century, with a western loggia added around 1800. The house of the religious of La Chaux stood at Romans-Dessous.

Hill of the Saint-Maurice chapel and cemetery. On top of the hill where the cemetery lies stood the chapel of Saint-Maurice, attested from the 14th century and a daughter church of the church of Lonay. The dead of Lonay were carried there after the cemetery of Saint-Germain was turned into a public square.

Remains in Roman

Roman-Dessus cemetery. Early medieval cemetery, which may include a La Tène grave. The graves uncovered yielded objects from the 6th-8th centuries: bracelets, a sword, earthenware vessels and a small balance.

Vanished medieval street. In the Middle Ages a small street of Romans was lined on both sides with houses, which have since disappeared.

Sources

• Commune de Lonay, « Histoire »
• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Lonay »
• Wikipédia, « Lonay »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Other villages near Roman

• Lonay (VD)
• Préverenges (VD)
• Echichens (VD)
• Joulens (VD)
• Denges (VD)