THE LUXEMBOURG PROVINCE OF BELGIUM
What counts as “Luxembourgish”?
Table of Contents
Over the centuries, Luxembourg experienced three historic partitions. The final partition occurred in 1839 when a large portion of Luxembourg was ceded during the formation of the Kingdom of Belgium. This former area of Luxembourg is known today as the Province of Luxembourg in Belgium. The first residents of this province had been Luxembourgers for centuries.
In Luxembourgish, this region is referred to as the Arelerland because Arlon is called “Arel” in Luxembourgish. There are 78 communities that make up the Arelerland. Click here for a list of the 78 communities with their names shown both in French and in Lëtzebuergesch. Those living in the Arelerland spoke Luxembourgish as their first language as opposed to those living a bit further West who were French speakers.
Communities of Arelerland
Messancy, Luxembourg, Belgium
Nobressart, Luxembourg, Belgium
Sampont, Luxembourg, Belgium
Sélange, Luxembourg, Belgium
Sterpenich, Luxembourg, Belgium
Stockem, Luxembourg, Belgium
Tontelange, Luxembourg, Belgium
Turpange, Luxembourg, Belgium
Willancourt, Luxembourg, Belgium
Wolkrange, Luxembourg, Belgium
Arelerland Border Markers
At the time of the partition in 1839, border markers were installed to indicate the boundaries of each country.
Emigration to America
Due to political instability in the 1830s, Belgic-Luxembourgers started immigrating to America in the 1830s and 1840s. Many were from the area around Arlon near today’s Belgian-Luxembourg border.
These are some of the towns that saw significant immigration to America: Arlon, Athus, Attert, Aubange, Autelbus, Barnich, Battincourt, Fouches, Freylange, Grendel, Guirsch, Habergy, Hachy, Halanzy, Hondelange, Messancy, Metzert, Nobressart, Nothomb, Perle, Post, Sampont, Schockville, Selange, Stockem, Tontelange, Turpange, Waltzig, Weyler, Willancourt and Wolkrange.
Belgic-Luxembourgers from these communities settled in large numbers in Sheldon and Wyoming Counties, New York, Seneca County, Ohio, Perry County, Indiana, Ozaukee and Sheboygan Counties, Wisconsin and Bellechester, Minnesota.
Learn More about Arelerland
Arelerland, USA
by Fausto Gardini
This third volume of Luxembourg On My Mind focuses on the Arelerland region.
Arlonais Fondateurs de Belgium Wisconsin
Arlon, Autelbas, Bonnert, Guirsch, Heinsch, Toernich et anciennes sections de Hachy: Fouches, Sampont. Contribution à l’étude de l’émigration de Belgique méridionale vers l’Amérique au 19ème siècle
by Jean Ducat
This book, written in French, follows the many immigrants from the Arelerland region who contributed to the founding of the town of Belgium, Wisconsin. It is available to read online with a free FamilySearch account (as of 2026).