The various border posts dotted along the Maas were the subject of discussion at the creation
of Belgium in 1830.
The fortified town of Stokkem received its town charter in 1244 as part of the earldom of Loon. Prior to the great merger wave, the municipalities of Elen, Rotem, Stokkem, Dilsen, and Lanklaar had already been amalgamated into the municipality of Dilsen in 1971. In 1987, Stokkem was added to the name. The reason for the‘town’ title was the town charter that was
granted to Stokkem within the earldom of Loon.