Hässel

Hässel is a toponym used for several settlements in the Nordic region, most commonly in Sweden. Because multiple places bear the name, Hässel does not denote a single, unified locality.

The etymology of Hässel is uncertain. It may derive from Old Norse or early Swedish terms linked to natural features such as hedges or hazel trees, or from a personal name that appears in land records. Over time the name has been applied to different settlements.

Today, places named Hässel are typically small rural communities or neighbourhoods within larger municipalities. They are distributed mainly in rural parts of Sweden and, less commonly, in nearby Nordic regions. The size of each Hässel varies from clusters of farmsteads to modest villages.

Historically, the name appears in medieval and early modern records as part of land, parish, or administrative identifiers. In the modern era, some Hässel localities have been incorporated into larger municipalities during regional consolidation.

Economies are local, with agriculture, forestry, and small services common to rural settlements. Access is generally via regional roads, with connections to national networks through nearby towns. Public transport varies by location, with some Hässel sites served by bus or rail links.

Notable features near these settlements may include historic churches, old farmsteads, or nearby natural landscapes. See also Hässelby, and other places with similar names.