Egem, East Flanders Explained

Egem
Settlement Type:Hamlet
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Belgium
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1: Flanders
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Type3:Arrondissement
Subdivision Name3:Aalst
Subdivision Type4:Municipality
Subdivision Name4:Erpe-Mere
Subdivision Type5:Sub-municipality
Subdivision Name5:Bambrugge
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:9420
Area Code Type:Area code
Area Code:053
Pushpin Map:Belgium
Coordinates:50.9167°N 59°W

Egem is a hamlet in the sub-municipality of Bambrugge in the municipality of Erpe-Mere in Flanders. It is located on the Molenbeek, in the Denderstreek, within the southeast of East Flanders and belongs to the Arrondissement of Aalst. It is bordered by the sub-municipalities of Bambrugge proper, Vlekkem (municipality of Erpe-Mere), Ottergem (municipality of Erpe-Mere) and Zonnegem (municipality of Sint-Lievens-Houtem). Egem also borders the domain Steenberg. Egem consists of two streets, the Egemstraat and Everdal.

History

Through the centuries Egem has had multiple names. In the oldest documents it was found to be named Heddeghem (1571), later it was also mentioned as Edeghem (1629), Hettegem (1638), Eedegem (1763), Eghem (1779) and Eegem (1842).

Etymologically, Flemish toponyms ending with –gem refer to a Germanic compound of –haim, meaning ‘home’ or ‘residence’, and a derivative ending –inga. The first part of the name "Egem" is commonly assigned to the Germanic name of Haid, Hait or Heit. In its totality, the compound Haidingahaim meant ‘residence of the followers or tribal members of Frank Haid’, degenerated into Heddeghem. The locality name belongs to the group of ingahemnames who are older than regular hemnames. Egem was founded in the early centuries of the Merovingian era (6th-7th century), and thus has an older origin than Bambrugge. Egem was probably a secluded homestead which was not too great, and was later absorbed by the rapidly faster developing Bambrugge.

Landmarks

File:Egemmolen Bambrugge Molenhuis.JPG|Mill house of the Egemmolen at BambruggeFile:Egemmolen Bambrugge overblijfselen.JPG|Remains of the Egemmolen at BambruggeFile:Kapel Egemstraat Bambrugge.jpg|The little chappelle at Egemstraat

50.9167°N 59°W