Wymbritseradeel was formed from the division of the medieval district of Waghenbrugghe. The grietenij of Wymbritseradeel was created in 1500 as Frisian cities became independent and several grietenij were split on the south side of the area. The boundaries of Wymbritseradeel remained unchanged until 1984. From 1625 until the introduction of the municipal law in 1851, the grietman of Wymbritseradeel lived in the stins of Epemastate in IJsbrechtum (West Frisian: Ysbrechtum).
The modern municipality of Wymbritseradeel was formed as part of the municipal reorganization of Friesland in January 1984. The previous grietenij was merged with the grietenij of IJlst, parts of Doniawerstal, and the villages Greonterp, Koufurderrige, Smallebrugge, and Wonseradeel. The town of IJlst (West Frisian: Drylts) was the administrative seat.
Since 1986, the official name of the municipality was the Frisian-language Wymbritseradiel. However, the Dutch name Wymbritseradeel is sometimes used as a distinction for the old municipality prior to 1984.
Towns and villages
The former municipality had 28 official districts (Dutch: kernen):
