Neigem

Neigem is a town in the Belgian province of East Flanders and part of the Ninobe region. The village covers an area of 1.06 km². Neigem is located in the so-called Pajottenland.
Neigem was located in the Middle Ages on the border between the County of Flanders and the Duchy of Brabant. The oldest records about the place date back to the twelfth century. In an act of 1189 the village is mentioned as Eighen. The name comes from the Germanic word aigina, or property. In a document of 1195 and 1265 appears the name Allodium, which would also have a similar meaning. This meant that he was free of fiefdoms. Neigem was owned by the lords of Wedergraete, in the Land of Aalst. The castle of the lords of Wedergraete stood near the village in what is now Meerbeke. It was rebuilt in the twentieth century.

Wikipedia