Archeological evidence shows that the monk Lebuinus founded a church in Rijssen, as early as the seventh century, as part of a coordinated attempt to convert the local pagan Saxons to Christianity, though other archaeological finds, such as urns and grave mounds suggest habitation dating back as far as 5,000 years.

After having a disagreement with the Viscount of Goor, Bishop Otto III van Holland granted city rights to Rijssen on 5 May 1243.

Many farmers participated in textile manufacturing; whole families, women and children, were involved in this trade, often under poor conditions.

Factory workers were forced to find other means of income and many started their own businesses, either in transport or in construction engineering.

Rijssen has multiple shopping facilities in its centre, which also accommodates a number of bars, pubs and lunchrooms.

Being close to Germany, it is an ideal location for European companies, such as Zwaartransport Twente or ZTT, member of the Van der Vlist group, who are heavy transport specialists, with a focus on moving agricultural equipment.

The conservative Calvinist Reformed Political Party (SGP) long held the strongest position in the municipality's council.

A large peat bog to the west of the Tweante region long formed a natural border, separating it from the rest of the Netherlands.

Twente was, therefore, more geographically, economically and culturally inclined towards the east, modelling their clothing and speech to Munsterlandic fashion.

Enschede attracted people from the entire country, while settlers from the nearby Drenthe and Groningen regions were invited to come and till the eastern parts of Twente.

Due to vowel elongation, combined with syllabic consonants, Riessens has (to some extent) a different rhythm than other varieties, perhaps comparable with North Germanic languages.