Etymology Map
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Abbey

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a building occupied by monks or nuns

Where does the word "abbey" come from? It comes from Late Latin abbatia, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
abbatia
Late Latin · ancient
"abbey"
from 'abbas', abbot, from Aramaic 'abba', father; the title spread west with the monasticism of the Egyptian and Syrian desert fathers, who were addressed as 'abba'
2
Stage 2 of 3
abeie
Old French · medieval
"abbey"
monasteries run by an abbot
3
Stage 3 of 3
abbey
English · 1200s
"monastery"
Westminster Abbey was refounded by Edward the Confessor; the word is first recorded around 1300 in a Middle English life of St Thomas Becket
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Read the full story

Abbey’s story begins in Late Latin: abbatia meant “abbey.” From 'abbas', abbot, from Aramaic 'abba', father; the title spread west with the monasticism of the Egyptian and Syrian desert fathers, who were addressed as 'abba'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as abeie. Monasteries run by an abbot. It reached English by 1200s as abbey. Westminster Abbey was refounded by Edward the Confessor; the word is first recorded around 1300 in a Middle English life of St Thomas Becket. Today, abbey means a building occupied by monks or nuns.