Etymology Map
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Bailiff

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an officer who enforces court orders or keeps order in court

Where does the word "bailiff" come from? It comes from Latin bajulus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
bajulus
Latin · ancient
"porter"
a porter or carrier of burdens
2
Stage 2 of 3
baillif
Old French · medieval
"steward, magistrate"
an agent carrying out a lord's authority, from 'bail', custody
3
Stage 3 of 3
bailiff
English · 1300s
"a court officer"
narrowed to court officers who seize property and keep order
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Read the full story

Bailiff’s story begins in Latin: bajulus meant “porter.” A porter or carrier of burdens. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as baillif. An agent carrying out a lord's authority, from 'bail', custody. It reached English by 1300s as bailiff. Narrowed to court officers who seize property and keep order. Today, bailiff means an officer who enforces court orders or keeps order in court.