Hippocampal local circuit GABAergic inhibitory interneurons control Na+- and Ca2+-dependent action potential generation, regulate synaptic transmission and plasticity, and pace large-scale synchronous oscillatory activity. The axons of this diverse cell population make local, short-range projections and release the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) onto a diverse array of targets. An increasing appreciation of the roles played by interneurons in a number of mental health issues such as epilepsy, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia have placed this important cell type center stage in cortical circuit research. Despite representing only 15-20% of the total hippocampal neuron population they are represented by >20 subtypes. Moreover, each interneuron subtype is unique in its proliferative history, migration during corticogenesis as well as postnatal integration into the hippocampal circuitry. Precision in this control relies upon a remarkable diversity of interneurons primarily determined during embryogenesis by genetic restriction of neuronal potential at the progenitor stage. Hippocampal interneurons arise from medial and caudal ganglionic eminence (MGE and CGE) precursors. Uisng a combination of molecular, anatomical, and electrophysiological analysis of MGE/CGE-derived interneurons we have shown that the MGE produces parvalbumin-, somatostatin-, and nitric oxide synthase-expressing interneurons including fast-spiking basket, bistratified, axo-axonic, oriens-lacunosum moleculare, neurogliaform, and ivy cells. In contrast, CGE-derived interneurons contain cholecystokinin, calretinin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and reelin including non-fast-spiking basket, Schaffer collateral-associated, mossy fiber-associated, trilaminar, and additional neurogliaform cells. During development excitatory synapses onto these inhibitory interneurons undergo cell-type specific alterations in the molecular and biophysical properties of their glutamate receptor subunit composition. Importantly, subunit expression, and developmental- and activity dependent-plasticity of both interneuron AMPA and NMDA receptors is tightly controlled and determined by the ganglionic eminence of origin. This presentation will highlight the rules utilized by developing hippocampal inhibitory interneurons in establishing the precise spatiotemporal patterning of glutamate receptor expression and plasticity within well-defined cortical networks.