Meinerzhagen

Meinerzhagen is a town in the Märkischer Kreis, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.GeographyMeinerzhagen is located in the hills of the Sauerland. The highest elevation is the Nordhelle with 663 m above sea level, the lowest elevation at the Lister dam with 319m. 56% of the district's area is covered by forests.Neighbouring municipalitiesDivision of the townThe district consists of the following towns and villages:History1765 Meinerzhagen received city rights from King Frederick II of Prussia, however in 1865 years later the city abandoned them to save administrative costs. In 1846 the Amt Meinerzhagen was formed, covering both Meinerzhagen and the municipality Valbert. On September 19, 1964 Meinerzhagen received city rights again.In the communal reform of the district Altena in 1969 Meinerzhagen was merged with Valbert, the Amt Meinerzhagen was dissolved.The family name of the British World War I officer Richard Meinertzhagen recalls an ancestor who came from this town.Coat of armsThe coat of arms of Meinerzhagen shows a red lion as the symbol of the dukedom Berg, placed on a blue Andreas cross on yellow ground referring the family von Badinghagen, which expired in the 17th century. The bottom part of the coat of arms shows the red-and-white chequered bordure as the symbol of the Mark. A yellow horn is placed on top of the bordure, taken from the coat of arms of the municipality Valbert. The coat of arms was granted on 14 June 1975.