Ezaart

Ezaart is one of the 12 townships in the municipality Mol in Belgium. It had 3332 inhabitants (31 December 2013). The township also includes "Hessie" which was formerly part of Millegem and therefore Geel.
Toponymy.
The name Ezaart derives from Esaert as it was written a long time ago. The word Esaert contains two words: "es" and "aert". Es is an old Dutch word for shrub and aert for a lowland.
There is also another explanation. It is said there once was a farmer travelling between Mol and Geel. He had a stubborn donkey which would not move anymore. The farmer got some help from local people and they pushed and pulled the donkey to get him to move. However, they pulled so strong on the animal's tail, it broke off. This incident should have taken place in front of the little chapel "Mary in need". In this opinion, Ezaart derives from the Dutch words "ezel" "(= Donkey)" and "staart" "(= tail)". A sculpture has been placed before the chapel to remember the incident, although it is most probably an urban legend.