Rekem

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of Belgium - Belgische Gemeentewapens / Armorial de Belgique

REKEM

Province : Limburg
Incorporated into : 1977 Lanaken

Official blazon

Gevierendeeld, 1 en 4 van keel met het kruis van goud, 2 en 3 van goud met den leeuw van keel - over alles heen van keel met het kruis van goud. Het schild getopt met de kroon met vijf fleurons.

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on February 1, 1937.

The arms are derived from the arms of the fammily Aspremont-Lijnden. Rekem was a free estate, later a barony and finally a county, directly governed by the Holy Roman Empire, but held in loan by different vassals. The oldest known Lord of Reken was mentioned in the 12^th century. Many different families ruled the estate, which became a possession of Herman van Aspremont-Lijnden in 1590. Later, Ernst van Lijnden became the first Count of Rekem.

The cross is the cross of the Van Lijnden family (see Lienden), the lion is derived from the arms of Aspremont.