The village was first mentioned in 1057 as Gerleuiswert, and means "settled height of Gerlef (person)".[3] Garrelsweer developed on a dike along the Delf river.[4] In 1057, it was given market, minting and toll rights by Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor.[4][5] During the Middle Ages, the village became overshadowed by neighbouring Loppersum.[4] In 1424, the Delf was replaced by the Damsterdiep [nl], a canal from Groningen to Delfzijl.[5]
The Dutch Reformed church was built in 1912 as a replacement of the 13th century church.[4][5] The church was sold in 2013, and is nowadays in use as a concert hall and exhibition centre.[7] The polder mill Kloostermolen was constructed in 1877. It was decommissioned and fell into disrepair. In 2013, the forest near the wind mill was removed, and in 2014, it was restored and recommissioned.[8]
Garrelsweer was home to 229 people in 1840.[7] Garrelsweer used to part of the municipality of Loppersum. In 2020, it became part of Eemsdelta.[7]
^"Postcodetool for 9918AC". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
^"Garrelsweer". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 April 2022. Etymologiebank first list terp for -weer, however in this case there is a no terp, and -weer was used for a dike (see other references)
