HAMLET, HAMEL, or Hampſel (from the Saxon HAM, domus, and the German LET, membrum), ſignifies a little village, or part of a village or pariſh. According to Spelman, there is a difference between villam integram, villam dimidiam, and hamletam, which, according to Stow, means the ſeat of a freeholder. Several county-towns have hamlets, as there may be ſeveral hamlets in a pariſh; and ſome particular places may be out of a town or hamlet, though not out of the county.