It is located on the Molenbeek in the Denderstreek, southeast of East Flanders and belongs to the Arrondissement of Aalst.

In this charter the emperor Koenraad II recognized the Abbey Sint-Pietersabdij in Ghent and their possessions, they spoke of "et in Bursinghem et terram in Ottringhem et terram in Flachem".

Since the year 1142 they spoke of Ottergem, but the variations Ottrenghem, Ottregem and Oterghem were also known.

The name is, in the opinion of the historian De Smet, derived from the otter (animal) but the opinion of his colleague Föstermann is that the name is derived from a personal name.

The Molenbeekroute is a cycle track network, known primarily for the mills of the municipality Erpe-Mere and two brooks that can be found there, both of which have the name Molenbeek (mill brook).