Borken is a Kreis (district) in the northwestern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany in the Münster region.

Neighboring districts are Steinfurt, Coesfeld, Recklinghausen, Wesel, Cleves, Bentheim in the Lower Saxony and the Dutch provinces Gelderland and Overijssel.

During the era of the Holy Roman Empire the area was subordinate to the Prince-Bishopric of Münster for centuries.

The colors of the coat of arms were chosen to be the same as those of the Prince-Bishopric of Münster, the long-time owner of the region.

The three white anchors in the middle derive from the coat of arms of the Herrschaft Anholt.