First found in Normandy where this distinguished family were anciently seated at Désert, Fougeroux,
and Saint-Étienne. Some of the first settlers of this name were: Charles, Jean Hamel arrived in Quebec
in 1656 from Normandy; Christopher Hamel settled in Charles Town, S.C. in 1764;
Henry Jacob and Jon Hamel settled in Philadelphia Pa. between 1764 and 1866.
Source: House of Names
