Erondegem

Erondegem
—  Village  —
Erpe-Mere in East-Flanders
Localisation of Erondegem in Erpe-Mere

Coat of arms
Localisation of Erondegem in the community of Erpe-Mere in the arrondissement of Aalst in the province of East-Flanders.
Country Belgium
Region Flanders
Province  East Flanders
Arrondissement Aalst
Municipality Erpe-Mere
Area
 • Total 3.17 km2 (1.2 sq mi)
Elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Population (2003)
 • Total 1,628
 • Density 513/km2 (1,328.7/sq mi)
  Source: NIS
Postal code 9420

Erondegem is a sub-municipality of Erpe-Mere in Flanders. It is located in the Denderstreek in the southeast of East Flanders and belongs to Arrondissement of Aalst. It is bordered by the sub-municipalities of Erpe and Ottergem and the municipalities of Sint-Lievens-Houtem (sub-municipality Vlierzele) and Lede (sub-municipality Impe). Erondegem has 1628 inhabitants as of 1 January 2003 and an area of 3.17 km. The population density is 513 inhabitants / km ².

History

Erondegem was first mentioned in a charter of 868 or 869. In that document is was called Eroldingeheim in pago Bragbattensi. Etymologically, Flemish locations ending with –gem refer to a Germanic compound with –haim, meaning ‘home’ or ‘residence’, and a derative ending with –inga. The first part of this compound is mostly assigned to a Germanic name, in this case Erond or Erold, the name of a currently unknown person. In its totality, the compound Erondingahaim meant ‘Erondingenheem, residence of the followers or tribal members of Erond. Gem-toponym are typical for the period of Frankish land taking during the Merovingian era. At the beginning of the 19th Century, the village had 837 inhabitants and by 31 December 1893 it had 963 inhabitants.

Landmarks

In Erondegem the Sint-Pietersbanden Church can be found. Erondegem belongs to deanery of Lede.