It is a part of the municipality of Borsele, and lies about 21 kilometres east of Middelburg.

The village was first mentioned in 1318 as "dat Nuweland van Vortrap", and means "polder of the Count".

Before 1316, William III, Count of Holland ordered the construction of a dike around Voortrappen.

[5] In 1927, a joint railway station with 's-Heer Abtskerke opened on the Goes to Hoedekenskerke.

[7] The village was severely damaged during World War II.