Leuven

* (Flemish Brabant) From Middle Dutch Loven (Latinised: Lovanium).
* (West Betuwe) First attested as loffna in 788-789. Etymology unknown. Compare Loven.

unk

unknown

Meronyms: Heverlee, Kessel-Lo, Wilsele, Wijgmaal

Louvain (the capital city of Flemish Brabant, Belgium)


Schelde

The river Scheldt (a river in France, Belgium and the Netherlands)


Brabant

From Middle Dutch Brabant, from Old Dutch *Brācbant (attested in Latin as pāgus brācbatensis), from Frankish, a compound of Proto-Germanic *brēk-, *brekaną (“fallow, originally 'to break'”) + *bant-, *bantō, *banti (“district, region”), which could be from Proto-Indo-European *bʰonHdéh₂ (“beneficial, good”), from *bʰHdús.
The latter element is also found in other toponyms such as Oosterbant, Swifterbant and Teisterbant.

der

(Belgium) Brabant (a former province of Belgium)

Zuid-Brabant (1815-1830, also in the Netherlands to contrast with Noord-Brabant)


Limburg

Meronyms: Alken, As, Beringen, Bilzen, Bocholt, Borgloon, Bree, Diepenbeek, Dilsen-Stokkem, Genk, Gingelom, Halen, Ham, Hamont-Achel, Hasselt, Hechtel-Eksel, Heers, Herk-de-Stad, Herstappe, Heusden-Zolder, Hoeselt, Houthalen-Helchteren, Kinrooi, Kortessem, Lanaken, Leopoldsburg, Lommel, Lummen, Maaseik, Maasmechelen, Nieuwerkerken, Oudsbergen, Peer, Pelt, Riemst, Sint-Truiden, Tessenderlo, Tongeren, Voeren, Wellen, Zonhoven, Zutendaal


Mechelen

* (Belgium) From earlier Mechgelme, Machele, from Medieval Latin Maclines, from Maslines, from Frankish *Maalinas, ultimately from Old Saxon mahal (“meeting room”), from Proto-West Germanic *maþl (“gathering, speech”). See also Limburgish Mechele.
* (Limburg) First attested as mechluns in 1133. Derived from Proto-Germanic *magal (“great, powerful”), related to *mikilaz. Compare Megchelen.

inh

Meronyms: Heffen, Hombeek, Leest, Muizen, Walem


Berg

* (Valkenburg aan de Geul) First attested as berga in 1139. Derived from the dative singular form of berg (“hill, elevated place”).
* (Belgium) Derived from berg (“hill, elevated place”).
* (Eijsden-Margraten) Derived from berg (“hill, elevated place”).
* (Peel en Maas) First attested as Berg in 1936. Derived from berg (“hill, elevated place”).
* (Noord-Brabant) First attested as Berg in 1794. Derived from berg (“hill, elevated place”).
The surname derives from the toponym or from one of the senses of berg.


Bergen

Mons (a city, municipality, and capital of Hainaut, Belgium)


Gent

Meronyms: Afsnee, Desteldonk, Drongen, Gentbrugge, Ledeberg, Mariakerke, Mendonk, Oostakker, Sint-Amandsberg, Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Sint-Kruis-Winkel, Wondelgem, Zwijnaarde

Ghent (the capital of East Flanders, Belgium)


Komen

From Gallo-Roman Latin Comius + -inas, of Celtic origin, from Gaulish *cumma, variant of *cumba, from Proto-Celtic *kumbā (“valley”).


Landen

Meronyms: Attenhoven, Eliksem, Ezemaal, Laar, Neerlanden, Neerwinden, Overwinden, Rumsdorp, Waasmont, Walsbets, Walshoutem, Wange, Wezeren

Landen (a city and municipality of the province of Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium)


Lier

Meronym: Koningshooikt

Lier (a city in Antwerp province, Belgium)


Spa

a town and municipality in the province of Liège, Wallonia, Belgium, famous for its springs


Aalst

* (Zaltbommel) First attested as in uilla halosta around 850. Etymology uncertain. A proposed derivation from els (“alder, Alnus”) with collectivising suffix -t does not match well with old attestations of the toponym. Potentially derived from Proto-Germanic *alhust (“dwelling place, shrine”). Compare Elst, Maasniel, Nieuwaal, Niel, Niel-bij-As, Nivele and Waldniel.
* (Noord-Brabant) First attested as alst in 1281. Etymology uncertain. The formerly widespread hypothesis of a derivation from els (“alder, Alnus”) with collectivising suffix -t is no longer considered plausible. Potentially derived from Proto-Germanic *alhust (“dwelling place, shrine”). Compare Elst, Maasniel, Nieuwaal, Niel, Niel-bij-As, Nivele and Waldniel.
* (Buren) First attested as aelst around 1400. Etymology uncertain. A proposed derivation from els (“alder, Alnus”) with collectivising suffix -t does not match well with old attestations of the toponym. Potentially derived from Proto-Germanic *alhust (“dwelling place, shrine”). Compare Elst, Maasniel, Nieuwaal, Niel, Niel-bij-As, Nivele and Waldniel.

Meronyms: Baardegem, Erembodgem, Gijzegem, Herdersem, Hofstade, Meldert, Moorsel, Nieuwerkerken

a city and municipality of East Flanders, Belgium


Halle

* (Gelderland) First attested as hall in 1263. Potentially a compound of Proto-Germanic *halha- (“highland spur”) and lo (“light forest on sandy soil”). Another possibility is a derivation from Middle Dutch halle (“covered market”), from Old Dutch *halla, from Frankish *hallu.

cog

Meronyms: Buizingen, Lembeek


Elen

a village and former municipality of Dilsen-Stokkem, Belgium


Luxemburg

nl-proper noun

Luxemburg n (adjective Luxemburgs, demonym Luxemburger m or Luxemburgse f)

Luxemburgs (adjective)
Luxemburger (demonym masculine)
Luxemburgse (demonym feminine)

Afrikaans: Luxemburg

→ Indonesian: Luksemburg

Luxembourg (a province of Wallonia, Belgium)


Brussel

From Broekzele, from broek (“marsh”) + zaal, zele (“thatching, settlement”).

Brussels (the capital city of Belgium; the capital city of the region of Flanders in Belgium; the main seat of government of the EU; the former capital of the former province of Brabant)

Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest
Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest#Dutch

Brussels-Capital Region
Brussels-Capital Region#English

short for Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest: Brussels-Capital Region (the smallest of Belgium's three federative regions)


Maas

From Middle Dutch Mase, from Old Dutch *Masa, from Proto-Germanic *Masō. Dutch is one of the few languages in which the Germanic name survives directly; most other languages have borrowed the name from Dutch or from a Romance language.

Meuse, Maas (a major river that flows about 901 km (560 mi) from France through Belgium and the Netherlands to the North Sea)


Antwerpen

From Middle Dutch Antwerpen, apparently from Medieval Latin Antwerpo, which, if of Germanic origin, like Frankish or Old Frisian, could be from Proto-West Germanic *anda- (“against”) + a noun derived from *werpan (“to throw”), meaning something like "land thrown up at something, "alluvial deposit."
Folk etymology derived it from handwerpen (“hand-throwing”), from hand + werpen, referring to a giant in Flemish legend named Antigoon, said to sever and fling the hands of any boatmen of the Scheldt who did not pay his toll. More at Antwerp.

Meronyms: Berchem, Berendrecht-Zandvliet-Lillo, Borgerhout, Deurne, Ekeren, Hoboken, Merksem, Wilrijk

Antwerp (a large city and municipality, the capital of the province of Antwerp, Belgium; the second-largest city in Belgium)

Laten we naar Antwerpen gaan.

Meronyms: Aartselaar, Antwerpen, Arendonk, Baarle-Hertog, Balen, Beerse, Berlaar, Boechout, Bonheiden, Boom, Bornem, Borsbeek, Brasschaat, Brecht, Dessel, Duffel, Edegem, Essen, Geel, Grobbendonk, Heist-op-den-Berg, Hemiksem, Herentals, Herenthout, Herselt, Hoogstraten, Hove, Hulshout, Kalmthout, Kapellen, Kasterlee, Kontich, Laakdal, Lier, Lille, Lint, Malle, Mechelen, Meerhout, Merksplas, Mol, Mortsel, Niel, Nijlen, Olen, Oud-Turnhout, Putte, Puurs-Sint-Amands, Ranst, Ravels, Retie, Rijkevorsel, Rumst, Schelle, Schilde, Schoten, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Stabroek, Turnhout, Vorselaar, Vosselaar, Westerlo, Wijnegem, Willebroek, Wommelgem, Wuustwezel, Zandhoven, Zoersel, Zwijndrecht

Antwerp (a province of Flanders, Belgium, the most populous)


Brugge

From Middle Dutch Brugge, from Old Dutch Bruges, Bruggas, Brugias, probably from brugga (“bridge”, now brug), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *brugjǭ.

Meronyms: Assebroek, Dudzele, Koolkerke, Lissewege, Sint-Andries, Sint-Kruis, Sint-Michiels

Bruges (the capital city of West Flanders province, Belgium)


Blankenberge

Meronym: Uitkerke

a municipality and town on the coast of Belgium


Oostende

From oost (“east”) + ende (“end”); in the Middle Ages the city was on the eastern end of an island, Testerep, which is now attached to the main land.

Meronyms: Stene, Zandvoorde

Ostend (a city and municipality of Belgium)


De Panne

Meronym: Adinkerke


Turnhout

Meronym: Zevendonk

a city in the province of Antwerp, Belgium


Oost-Vlaanderen

Meronyms: Aalst, Aalter, Assenede, Berlare, Beveren, Brakel, Buggenhout, Deinze, Denderleeuw, Dendermonde, De Pinte, Destelbergen, Eeklo, Erpe-Mere, Evergem, Gavere, Gent, Geraardsbergen, Haaltert, Hamme, Herzele, Horebeke, Kaprijke, Kluisbergen, Kruibeke, Kruisem, Laarne, Lebbeke, Lede, Lierde, Lievegem, Lochristi, Lokeren, Maarkedal, Maldegem, Melle, Merelbeke, Moerbeke, Nazareth, Ninove, Oosterzele, Oudenaarde, Ronse, Sint-Gillis-Waas, Sint-Laureins, Sint-Lievens-Houtem, Sint-Martens-Latem, Sint-Niklaas, Stekene, Temse, Waasmunster, Wachtebeke, Wetteren, Wichelen, Wortegem-Petegem, Zele, Zelzate, Zottegem, Zulte, Zwalm


Vlaanderen

From Middle Dutch Vlaendren, from Old Dutch *flāmdra-, from Old Frisian *flāmdra-, from Proto-Germanic *flaumaz.

administrative region
administrative region

Flanders (a historical region and modern administrative region in the north of Belgium, consisting of the Dutch-speaking area of Belgium)

Flanders (a historical county and cultural region of Western Europe, at its maximum covering most of Belgium, parts of northeast France, and a corner of the Netherlands; in full, County of Flanders)


West-Vlaanderen

Meronyms: Alveringem, Anzegem, Ardooie, Avelgem, Beernem, Blankenberge, Bredene, Brugge, Damme, Deerlijk, De Haan, Dentergem, De Panne, Diksmuide, Gistel, Harelbeke, Heuvelland, Hooglede, Houthulst, Ichtegem, Ieper, Ingelmunster, Izegem, Jabbeke, Knokke-Heist, Koekelare, Koksijde, Kortemark, Kortrijk, Kuurne, Langemark-Poelkapelle, Ledegem, Lendelede, Lichtervelde, Lo-Reninge, Menen, Mesen, Meulebeke, Middelkerke, Moorslede, Nieuwpoort, Oostende, Oostkamp, Oostrozebeke, Oudenburg, Pittem, Poperinge, Roeselare, Ruiselede, Spiere-Helkijn, Staden, Tielt, Torhout, Veurne, Vleteren, Waregem, Wervik, Wevelgem, Wielsbeke, Wingene, Zedelgem, Zonnebeke, Zulenkerke, Zwevegem


Waterloo

[ˈβ̞aːtərˌloː]

[ˈʋaːtərˌloʊ̯]

* (Belgium) From Middle Dutch [Term?], composed of water (“water”) + loo (“light forest, wood”).
* (Utrecht) Named after Waterloo in Belgium in memory of the Battle of Waterloo. The choice of name may have been influenced by nearby Austerlitz.
* (Zeeland) First attested as Waterloo in 1853. Named after Waterloo in Belgium in memory of the Battle of Waterloo.

compound

a village in Walloon Brabant, Belgium; the site of a major military battle in 1815


Vlaams-Brabant

Meronyms: Aarschot, Affligem, Asse, Beersel, Begijnendijk, Bekkevoort, Bertem, Bever, Bierbeek, Boortmeerbeek, Boutersem, Diest, Dilbeek, Drogenbos, Galmaarden, Geetbets, Glabbeek, Gooik, Grimbergen, Haacht, Halle, Herent, Herne, Hoegaarden, Hoeilaart, Holsbeek, Huldenberg, Kampenhout, Kapelle-op-den-Bos, Keerbergen, Kortenaken, Kortenberg, Kraainem, Landen, Lennik, Leuven, Liedekerke, Linkebeek, Linter, Londerzeel, Lubbeek, Machelen, Meise, Merchtem, Opwijk, Oud-Heverlee, Overijse, Pepingen, Roosdaal, Rotselaar, Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, Sint-Genesius-Rode, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Steenokkerzeel, Ternat, Tervuren, Tielt-Winge, Tienen, Tremelo, Vilvoorde, Wemmel, Wezembeek-Oppem, Zaventem, Zemst, Zoutleeuw


Duffel

From Middle Dutch 1059 Duffla, from Latin dubro + locus (“place”), from Gaulish dubrum, from Proto-Celtic *dubros (“water”).

Meronyms: Itterbeek, Mijlstraat


Genk

Meronyms: Bokrijk, Boxbergheide, Camerlo, Hoevenzavel, Kolderbos, Langerlo, Nieuw-Texas, Sledderlo, Terboekt, Termien, Waterschei, Winterslag, Zwartberg

Genk (a city and municipality of Belgium)


Lokeren

* (Belgium) From Middle Dutch Loekerne, Lokeren, further etymology unknown. Perhaps related to luiken or loeken.
* (Netherlands)

unk

unknown

Meronyms: Daknam, Eksaarde

a municipality of East Flanders, Belgium


Beek

* (Beek) First attested as Becha in the mid-11th century. Derived from Old Dutch beke (“brook, stream”). See also Limburgish Baek.
* (Belgium) First attested in 1155. Derived from Old Dutch beke (“brook, stream”). Named after a nearby brook.
* (Berg en Dal) First attested as bechi in 814-815. Derived from Old Dutch beke (“brook, stream”).
* (Montferland) First attested as beke in 1206. Derived from Old Dutch beke (“brook, stream”).
* (Venray) Derived from beek (“brook, stream”).

a village and former municipality of Bree, Belgium


Dender

a river in Belgium, flowing through Aalst


Leie

First mention in 694 as Legia, which is likely of Celtic origin, meaning flowing; related legaim in Old-Irish means to flow

the Lys (a river in France and Belgium, and a left tributary of the Scheldt at Gent)


Rupel

* from Celtic-Germanic rim- (flowing) en -pel (swamp, pond)
* alternatively, contraction of the Brabantian ruig or ruw (rough) with the Latin palus, 'swamp' (Ru-peel)


Meetjesland

a historic region in northwestern East Flanders, Belgium


Bree

First attested as britte in 1007. Etymology uncertain. Potentially derived from Proto-Germanic *brida (“plank, board”) suffixed with the locative suffix *-ja-.

Meronyms: Beek, Gerdingen, Opitter, Tongerlo


Achel

First attested as achile in 1139. Compound of an unclear first element and Old Dutch *lō (“light forest”).

a village and former municipality of Hamont-Achel, Belgium


Hardenne

Ardennen (alternative Ardennes)
Ardenne (alternative surname)
van Hardenne (alternative surname)
Van Hardenne (alternative surname)
van Ardenne (alternative surname)
Van Ardenne (alternative surname)

Forest of Ardennes
Forest of Ardennes#English

Ardennes (forest, geographic region and low mountain range in France, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg; in full, Ardennes Forest, Ardenne Forest, or Forest of Ardennes)


Waver

The hamlet in the Netherlands is first attested as wauere in 1217. The toponym is derived from the name of a forest, which derives in turn from a term cognate to German wabern (“undulate, waft”) and English waver. Compare Weiver, Waver, Waverley, Waverton and Wavertree.


Vilvoorde

Contains the toponymic element voorde (“ford”).

Meronym: Peutie

Vilvoorde (a city in Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium)


Tienen

Meronyms: Bost, Goetsenhoven, Hakendover, Kumtich, Oorbeek, Oplinter, Sint-Margriete-Houtem, Vissenaken

Tienen (a city in Flemish Brabant, Belgium)


Zoutleeuw

Meronyms: Budingen, Dormaal, Halle-Booienhoven, Helen-Bos

a city and municipality of Flemish Brabant, Belgium


Deinze

From "donsa" (probably old Dutch for 'moss').

Meronyms: Astene, Bachte-Maria-Leerne, Gottem, Grammene, Hansbeke, Landegem, Meigem, Merendree, Nevele, Petegem-aan-de-Leie, Poesele, Sint-Martens-Leerne, Vinkt, Vosselare, Wontergem, Zeveren


Dendermonde

Meronyms: Appels, Baasrode, Grembergen, Mespelare, Oudegem, Schoonaarde, Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde


Geel

The name is from the same source as the adjective geel (“yellow”) and dates back to the middle ages. Formerly spelled Gheel.

Meronyms: Bel, Elsum, Holven, Kievermont, Larum, Oosterlo, Punt, Stelen, Ten Aard, Winkelom, Winkelomheide, Zammel


Herentals

From Middle Dutch Herenthals, from earlier Hernehals or Hernehalt, a compound of hērn (“hornbeam”) + hals (“narrow pass”).

com

Meronyms: Morkhoven, Noorderwijk


Hoogstraten

Meronyms: Meer, Meerle, Minderhout, Wortel

a city and municipality of Antwerp, Belgium


Mortsel

Meronym: Luithagen


Beringen

Meronyms: Beverlo, Koersel, Paal


Zeebrugge

Zeebrugge (a coastal village and port on the North Sea in West Flanders, Belgium)


Sint-Pieters-Leeuw

Equivalent to Sint Pieter (“Saint Peter”) + leeuw (“burial mound”).

compound

Meronyms: Oudenaken, Ruisbroek, Sint-Laureins-Berchem, Vlezenbeek

a municipality of Flemish Brabant, Belgium


Belux

From the first syllables of Belgium and Luxembourg. Likely inspired by Benelux.

Belux (a geographic region grouping Belgium and Luxembourg, often used in business)


Tongeren

* (Gelderland) First attested as tungren in 1025. Etymology uncertain. A compound derivation of Middle Dutch tonge (“sandy ridge, headland”) and haar (“sandy ridge”) is not backed up by the earliest attestations. Perhaps a dative plural of Dutch *tonger (“unknown plant with a bitter taste”). The toponym has no etymological relationship to its Belgian counterpart. Compare Tongerlo and Tungelroy.
* (Noord-Brabant) First attested as tongeren in 1393. Etymology uncertain. Potentially a derivation from the dative plural form of Old Dutch *tonger (“unknown plant with a bitter taste”) or a compound of Middle Dutch tonge (“sandy ridge, headland”) and haar (“sandy ridge”). Compare Tongerlo and Tungelroy.

inh

a city in Tongeren-Borgloon, Limburg, Belgium


Nieuwstad

* (Belgium) Compound of nieuw (“new”) and stad (“place”).
* (Elburg) First attested as Nieuwstad in 1830-1855. Compound of nieuw (“new”) and stad (“place”).
* (Groningen) First attested as Nieuwstad in 1874. Compound of nieuw (“new”) and stad (“place”).
* (Overijssel) First attested as De Nieuwstad in 1869. Compound of nieuw (“new”) and stad (“place”). See also Dutch Low Saxon Ni'jstad.
* (Zutphen) First attested as Nouae Ciuitatis in Zutphania in 1272. Compound of Compound of nieuw (“new”) and stad (“place, city”).


Ranst

→ English: Ranst

→ French: Ranst

→ Walloon: Ranst

Meronyms: Broechem, Emblem, Oelegem

Ranst (a village and municipality of Antwerp, Belgium)


Ophoven

* (Belgium) First attested as ophoven in 1167. Compound of Middle Dutch op (“higher up, upper”) and the dative plural form of hof (“farmstead, homestead”). See also Limburgish Opove.
* (Echt-Susteren) First attested as uphouen in 1224. Compound of op (“higher up, upper”) and the dative plural form of hof (“farmstead, homestead”). See also Limburgish Ophaove.
* (Leudal) First attested as Ophooven in 1803-1820. Compound of op (“higher up, upper”) and the dative plural form of hof (“farmstead, homestead”). See also Limburgish Ophaove.
* (Sittard-Geleen) First attested as Ophoven in 1803-1820. Compound of op (“higher up, upper”) and the dative plural form of hof (“farmstead, homestead”). So named to distinguish the area from Overhoven. See also Limburgish Ophaove.

a village and former municipality of Kinrooi, Belgium


Tongerlo

* (Belgium) First attested in 1267.
* (Horst aan de Maas)
* (Peel en Maas) First attested as tongerlo in 1425. Compound of an unclear first element (perhaps Middle Dutch *tonger (“unknown plant with an acrid taste”)) and lo (“light forest”). Compare Tongeren and Tungelroy.


Heesakker

All derive from (a reflex of) Old Dutch *hēsi (“brushwood”) + akker (“farmland”).
* (Oisterwijk) First attested as heesacker in 1419.
* (Cranendonck) First attested as hesackre in 1307.


Veldhoven

* (Netherlands) First attested as velthouen in 1294. Compound of veld (“field”) and the dative plural form of hoeve (“piece of land of a certain size”).
* (Belgium) Compound of veld (“field”) and the dative plural form of hoeve (“piece of land of a certain size”) or hof (“homestead, farmstead”).


Molenveld

* (Belgium) First attested in 1244. Compound of molen (“mill”) and veld (“field”).
* (Noord-Brabant) Compound of molen (“mill”) and veld (“field”).
* (Gelderland) Compound of molen (“mill”) and veld (“field”).
* (Limburg) Compound of molen (“mill”) and veld (“field”).


Kortrijk

First attested as kurtryke and kortrike in 1217. Derived from Middle Dutch Kortrike (“Courtrai”), from earlier Medieval Latin forms Curtraco, Curtriaco, Corturiacensis, as old as Late Latin Cortoriacenses around 400.
Seemingly ultimately of Celtic origin, from the name *Kortoriako(n) with the common placename suffix -ensis. The Celtic word could be based on a Gallo-Roman name Curtorius, perhaps a Latinized Celtic name of unknown meaning (compare currere (“to run”)) with the common Proto-Celtic suffix *-ākos (“belonging to”). Thus, the final meaning would be something like "related to property or land owned by someone named Curtorius."
The hamlet is named after the city in Belgium. Compare Demmerik, Hoograven, Laagraven, Kamerik, Kockengen, Parijsch, Pavijen, Portengen, Snel en Polanen and Spengen.

Meronyms: Aalbeke, Bellegem, Bissegem, Heule, Kooigem, Marke, Rollegem

a city, municipality, and arrondissement of West Flanders, Belgium


Kinrooi

First attested as kynre in 1345. Potentially derived from a compound of dialectal keen (“pine tree, Pinus sp.”) and Middle Dutch rode (“land cleared of trees”). Compare Keent and Keinse.
See also Limburgish Kinder.

inh

Meronyms: Geistingen, Kessenich, Molenbeersel, Ophoven


Kessenich

First attested as kesnic in 1102. Derived from Latin Cassinius (a personal name) suffixed with the Gallo-Roman suffix -acum.
See also Limburgish Kèsing, Kaesing.


Molenbeersel

First attested as beersele in 1299.
See also Limburgish Bieësel.


Geistingen

First attested as westingue in 1178.
See also Limburgish Geistinge.


Maaseik

First attested as eche in 1139. Compound of the hydronym Maas and Middle Dutch eike (“oak, Quercus robur”). The element Maas was added to distinguish the settlement from Aldeneik and Kessel-Eik.
See also Limburgish Mezeik.

Meronyms: Aldeneik, Berg, De Riet, Dorne, Heppeneert, Gremelslo, Neeroeteren, Opoeteren, Schootsheide, Siemkensheuvel, 't Ven, Voorshoven, Waterloos, Wurfeld


Neeroeteren

First attested as votra in 952. Compound of neer (“lower, downstream”) and the dative plural form of the hydronym Oeter. The toponym contrasts with Opoeteren.

a village and former municipality of Maaseik, Belgium


Opoeteren

First attested as votra in 952. Compound of op (“upper, upstream”) and the dative plural form of the hydronym Oeter. The toponym contrasts with Neeroeteren.


Aldeneik

First attested as eike in 830. Compound of Old Dutch alt (“old”) and eike (“oak, Quercus robur”). The element oud was added at a later date to distinguish the settlement from Maaseik.


Dilsen-Stokkem

Meronyms: Dilsen, Elen, Lanklaar, Rotem, Stokkem


Dilsen

Potentially attested as Feresne around 365, attested with certainty as thilesna in 1062.

a village and former municipality of Dilsen-Stokkem, Belgium


Stokkem

First attested as stockheim in 1181. Compound of Old Dutch stok (“tree trunk, stick”) and hēm (“home, settlement”).

a city and former municipality of Dilsen-Stokkem, Belgium


Lanklaar

First attested as langlaer in 1281. Compound of Middle Dutch lang (“long”) and laar (“intensively cultivated forest”).


Rotem

First attested in 1202. Compound of Old Dutch rode (“land cleared of trees”) and hēm (“home, settlement”).


Grote Homo

Derived from groot (“great, big”) and a corruption of Haumont (a surname). The neighbourhood is named after a house constructed by engineer Joseph Haumont.

a neighbourhood of Dilsen-Stokkem, Belgium


Gerdingen

a village and former municipality of Bree, Belgium


Opitter

First attested as Iteram in 1143. Compound of op (“upper, upstream”) and the hydronym Itter. The hydronym in turn derives from either Proto-Indo-European *id- (“swell, engorge”) or *ajadh- (“bright, clear”). The prefix op was added at a later date to distinguish the settlement from Neeritter. Compare Itteren and Ittervoort.


Bocholt

First attested as bucolt in 1162. Compound of Old Dutch buok (“beech, Fagus sylvatica”) and holt (“rising deciduous forest”).

inh

Meronyms: Kaulille, Reppel


Kaulille

First attested as caulill in 1259. Etymology uncertain.

a village and former municipality of Bocholt, Belgium


Reppel

First attested as replo in 726. Etymology uncertain. Proposed etymologies include a derivation from Latin ripula (“small riverbank”) or from a compound of Old Dutch reip (“strip of land”) and lo (“light forest”).


Oudsbergen

Named after a hill located at the centre of the municipalities which fused to form the new municipality.

Meronyms: Ellikom, Gruitrode, Neerglabbeek, Opglabbeek, Wijshagen


Achel-Statie

Compound of the toponym Achel and statie (“station”). The settlement formerly was the location of a train station.


Hamont

a city and former municipality of Hamont-Achel, Belgium


Hamont-Achel

Meronyms: Achel, Hamont


Grote Heide

/ˈɣroː.tə ˈɦɛi̯.də/

Derived from groot (“great, big”) and heide (“heath, heathland”).


Boseind

Compound of bos (“forest”) and eind (“end, edge”).


Sint-Huibrechts-Lille

First attested as leuetlaus [read: lendlaus] in 712. Derived from the name of Saint Hubertus and a compound of Proto-Germanic *lindō (“linden, Tilia sp.”) and *lauhaz (“light forest”). The element Sint-Huibrechts was added to distinguish the settlement from Kaulille by way of a reference to a local cult of the saint.

a village and former municipality of Pelt, Belgium


Holheide

/ˌɦɔlˈɦɛi̯.də/

First attested as Holven in 1552. Derived from a compound of the toponym Holven (derived in turn from hol (“low-lying, swampy”) and ven (“bog, pool in a marsh or forest”)) and the toponym De Heide (derived in turn from heide (“heath, heathland”)). The village developed through the union of the Holven hamlet and new construction on De Heide, which before then had been a barren field.


Gooik

Meronyms: Kester, Leerbeek, Oetingen

a village and municipality of Flemish Brabant, Belgium


Oetingen

a village in Gooik, Flemish Brabant, Belgium


Halle-Vilvoorde

an arrondissement of Flemish Brabant, Belgium


Waasland

a geographic region in northeastern East Flanders, Belgium


Pajottenland

a geographic region in southwestern Flemish Brabant, Belgium


Voeren

Meronyms: Moelingen, Remersdaal, 's-Gravenvoeren, Sint-Martens-Voeren, Sint-Pieters-Voeren, Teuven


Zenne

An old Germanic or Gaulish word for a watercourse. Zenne, Sinne and Seine are derivatives that can be found as names of Belgian and French rivers, but also in the original name of the municipality of Zonnebeke as Sinnebeche. French speakers call the Belgian river Zenne the Senne and a tributary is the Senette. A more distant relative would be the Dutch river Zaan.

Senne (a now partially covered river in Hainaut, Walloon Brabant and Flemish Brabant, Brussels and Antwerp, Belgium)


Tollembeek

a village in Galmaarden, Flemish Brabant, Belgium


Sint-Niklaas

Meronyms: Belsele, Nieuwkerken-Waas, Sinaai


Sinaai

a village in Sint-Niklaas, East Flanders, Belgium


Samber

the Sambre (a river in France and Belgium)


Denderleeuw

From Dender (“the river Dender”) + leeuw (“burial mound”).

compound

Meronyms: Iddergem, Welle

a municipality of East Flanders, Belgium


Denderwindeke

a village in Ninove, East Flanders, Belgium


Ninove

Meronyms: Appelterre-Eichem, Aspelare, Denderwindeke, Lieferinge, Meerbeke, Nederhasselt, Neigem, Okegem, Outer, Pollare, Voorde


Beersel

Meronyms: Alsemberg, Dworp, Huizingen, Lot


Dworp

From the name of a brook running through the village, first attested as Tornepe.

a village in Beersel, Flemish Brabant, Belgium


Boutersem

From Middle Dutch Bouterseem (c. 1300); an even earlier form Baltreshem lacking L-vocalization is also attested in an early 12th-century Latin text. Contains a name Bouter (corresponding to Old English Bealdhere, Old High German Baldheri or Baldhere; more at Bouterse) with the common toponymic element -em (corresponding to heem).

a municipality in Flemish Brabant province, Belgium


Brasschaat

Meronyms: Maria-ter-Heide, Vriesdonk

a village and municipality of the province of Antwerp, Belgium


Eupen

From Middle Dutch Oepen. See German Eupen below for more.

German-speaking Community
w:German-speaking Community

Eupen, a town in German-speaking Community, province of Liège, Belgium


Geul

A river in Belgium and Netherlands. In the Netherlands the river flows into the Meuse as a tributary in the province of Limburg.


Willebroek

From Middle Dutch Wildebroec, from Proto-West Germanic *wilþī (“wild”) + *brōk (“marsh”).

inh

a city and municipality in the province of Antwerp, Belgium


Tisselt

From Middle Dutch Tieselt, probably from the root of distel + -t, from Proto-Germanic *-iþja- (“collective suffix”).

a town in the municipality of Willebroek, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium


Blaasveld

From Middle Dutch Blaersvelt, probably originated from the Proto-West Germanic name *Bladahari + *felþu (“field”) or a later form of the name with Middle Dutch velt.


Hombeek

From Middle Dutch Hoenechbeke, from honech (“honey”) + bēke (“creek, brook”), meaning 'honey-colored creek'.
It could also be derived from the name Huno.

com

a town in the municipality of Mechelen, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium


Heffen

From Middle Dutch Heffena, most likely from Middle Dutch heffe (“sediment”) + â (“stream of water”).
Other possibilities are a relation to the verb heffen or the noun hoeve (“farmstead”).


Battel

Origin unknown. Could be derived from English battle or French batelier (“riverboatman”)


Hemiksem

From Middle Dutch Hemincsem, from Proto-West Germanic *Hamingas (“genitive of the name Haming”) + *haim (“home”), literally 'Haming's home'.

inh

a municipality in the province of Antwerp, Belgium


Ramsdonk

From Middle Dutch Raemsdonc, from Old Dutch Ramesdun, from ravan (“raven”) + *dung (“sandy hill protruding above a silty area”).

af

a town in the m of Kapelle-op-den-Bos, Flemish Brabant, Belgium


Buggenhout

/ˈbʏ.ɡənˌɦɑu̯t/

From Middle Dutch Bucghenhout, from earlier Bu(c)kenholt, equivalent to Proto-West Germanic *bōkīn (“beechen”) + *holt (“forest”).

der

a municipality of the province of East Flanders, Belgium


Moerkerke

From Middle Dutch Moerkerke, from Old Dutch Murkerka, from *mor (“moor”) + *kirica (“church”).


Roer

Roer, Rur; a river originating in Belgium, flowing through Germany to the Netherlands. In the Netherlands the river flows into the Meuse in the province of Limburg.