hættum

Hættum is a toponym used in Icelandic-speaking regions and occasionally found as a surname. The word is formed from the Icelandic noun hætta, meaning danger or hazard, and a suffix such as -um that appears in several place names. As a place name, Hættum has been associated with rural estates and farms in historical Icelandic land records; in these records the form appears in various spellings depending on manuscript tradition. Because many farm names in Iceland were reused in different districts, multiple separate localities may bear the name Hættum in different municipalities, rather than a single continuous settlement.

In onomastic studies, Hættum is cited as an example of how geographical features and landscape in Iceland influenced place naming. The name also exists as a rare surname derived from a farm name; individuals with the surname are uncommon.

Today, references to Hættum are primarily found in historical or genealogical contexts rather than as contemporary towns. Researchers typically consult medieval Icelandic manuscripts, land registries, and parish records to identify specific locations bearing the name.