[10] The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the Hemnfjorden (Old Norse: Hefn) since flowed through the area.

On 3 November 1917, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Hemne.

The official blazon is "Gules, five hazelnuts in annulo stems to center conjoined Or" (Norwegian: I rødt fem gull hasselnøtter forent i rosett).

This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is five hazelnuts in a circular arrangement with their stems connected in the centre.

The hazelnet design has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used.

The design symbolizes the relatively large hazel forests in the municipality, which was historically important to the local economy.

The Vinjefjorden was located on the southwestern side of the municipality and the lake Vasslivatnet was in the southeast.

In the south near the village of Vinjeøra, there are several hiking trails to mountain lodges such as Sollia.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Hemne is made up of 23 representatives that are elected to four year terms.