It lies in the most northeast corner of the province of Gelderland, about half a mile from the German border.

Rekken is also known in international aviation, by the VHF omnidirectional range called 'Rekken' (RKN).

The Rekkenaren built a Catholic Church on the northern bank of the Berkel.

Around 1616 the heerlijkheid Borculo, (until then an autonomous area, where Rekken was a part of) became a property of the duke of Guelders, and with that to the former Dutch Republic.

Freedom of religion came when Rekken became part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.