chancellor

Where does the word "chancellor" come from? It comes from Late Latin cancellarius, passing through Old French before entering English (1000s).

Chancellor’s story begins in Late Latin: cancellarius meant “usher at a lattice.” From 'cancelli', a lattice or bar separating judges from the public. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as chancelier. A king's chief secretary. It reached English by 1000s as chancellor. The Chancellor of the Exchequer dates from the 1200s. Today, chancellor means a senior state or university official.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient cancellarius "usher at a lattice", from 'cancelli', a lattice or bar separating judges from the public.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval chancelier "secretary", a king's chief secretary.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1000s chancellor "chief secretary", the Chancellor of the Exchequer dates from the 1200s.