+50 54' 22.68", +3 42' 54.61"
The name of the village appears in the records first in 1196, although the locality must be much older. The discovery of a Merovingian cemetery in 1955 proves that Beerlegem was a Frankish settlement. Berlenghem was the name according to the list of the bishopric of Kamerijk. Abbot J. Claerhout believes that the name derives from 'Berilo' (diminutive of Bero). Beerlegem was, thus, the home of the Berlingen family, transformed to "Berlingenhem", and, in 1252, Beerlingenhem. Other sources give the name Bardelingheym, which would mean, ‘home of the Bardarlingen’ or descendents of Badharila.
The inhabited history of Beerlegem probably goes back to pre-historical times. It is certain that people were on this site in the Gallo-Roman times. The discovery of the remains of a Merovingian cemetery shows a higher degree of inhabitation in the 8th-9th centuries.
Beerlegem Manor once belonged to the estate of Rode, one of the five baronies of the County of Aalst. They gave the name to the noble family whose oldest member, Theodoricus van Berleghem is named in the Raas van Gavere charter from 1196.
There lordship then passed from Beerlegem to Geerard van Grimbergen.
In 1971, the town was absorbed into Munkzwalm (later Zwalm) and had 348 inhabitants at that time.
Beerlegem is known for its 18th century baroque castle of Rhode Ten Bieze, which is private property and is located across from the Brouwershoek. | 
)
