's Herenelderen was first mentioned in 1233. Together with Genoelselderen it formed an area under the name Aldor. This word possibly stands for alder trees or -perhaps- for altars. The prefix 's Heren came into use after the split from Genoelselderen in 1261. At that time it was called Eldris domini Wilhelmi, or the Elderen of Lord Willem, which probably referred to Willem van Hamal, who died in 1279. 's Herenelderen was a Loon fief. Around 1300 Schalkhoven and Sint-Huibrechts-Hern also became the property of the van Hamal family. The area remained in the possession of this family until 1501 when it passed into the hands of a branch of the house of Renesse that is sometimes called the Belgian branch or Van Renesse van Elderen. 's Herenelderen also became an independent parish in 1261 in terms of church. Before that, the village was dependent on the parish of Berg. 's Herenelderen became an independent municipality during the French period and lived mainly from agriculture. In the second half of the 20th century, the village became a residential municipality through ribbon development along the road from Tongeren to Kleine-Spouwen. In 1971, the village lost its independence and the merged municipality of Elderen was created, consisting of 's Herenelderen, Genoelselderen and Membruggen. In 1977, Elderen was already dissolved: 's Herenelderen (the part west of the E313) was added to Tongeren, while Genoelselderen and Membruggen (the part east of the E313) were added to Riemst.