Etymology Map
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Census

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an official count of a population

Where does the word "census" come from? It comes from Latin census, adopted directly into English (1790s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
census
Latin · ancient
"registration of citizens"
from 'censere', to assess; Roman censors counted citizens and property every five years
2
Stage 2 of 2
census
English · 1790s
"an official count of population"
the first US census and British census (1801) made it a regular event
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Read the full story

Census’s story begins in Latin: census meant “registration of citizens.” From 'censere', to assess; Roman censors counted citizens and property every five years. It reached English by 1790s as census. The first US census and British census (1801) made it a regular event. Today, census means an official count of a population.