[3] The parish of Hammer (later spelled Hamre) was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law).

On 1 January 1904, the western district of Hamre (population: 1,625) was separated to become the new municipality of Åsane.

The name is hamarr which means "crag", "rock face", or "steep cliff", likely referring to the local rocky and mountainous terrain.

On 25 September 1914, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Hamre.

[7] The municipal council (Heradsstyre) of Hamre was made up of 17 representatives that were elected to four year terms.