The spoken language is Peellands (an East Brabantian dialect, which is very similar to colloquial Dutch).

On Saint Barbara day (December 4) in 1300, duke Jan II of Brabant gave the inhabitants of 'Rikestele, Arle ende Beke' (Rixtel, Aarle and Beek) the right to use common lands around the towns.

In later ages, the area changed owners a few times, until in 1798 the feudal system was abolished, inspired by the French revolution.

In 1836 the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal was dug by hand, and in 1880-1881, the steam tram between Den Bosch and Helmond was built, having a stop in Beek en Donk.

In 1997, Beek en Donk, Lieshout, Aarle-Rixtel and Mariahout formed the municipality Laarbeek.