The village was first mentioned in 1235 as Rithem, and means "settlement near reed".

[3] Ritthem is an incomplete circular church village which developed in the Middle Ages on a ridge.

The 16th century nave was damaged in 1572 during the Dutch Revolt and rebuilt in 1611 without a choir.

[6] Fort Rammekens was built between 1547 and 1556 by orders of Mary of Hungary to control the Westerschelde (Antwerp) and the former Sloe [nl] (Middelburg).

During World War II, it was used by the Germans as part of Landfront Vlissingen and the Atlantic Wall.