Etymology Map
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Chattel

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a personal possession

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
capitale
Medieval Latin · medieval
"property"
from 'caput', head; the same word gave 'cattle' and 'capital'
2
Stage 2 of 3
chatel
Old French · medieval
"movable property"
Parisian form, while Norman 'catel' gave 'cattle'
3
Stage 3 of 3
chattel
English · 1200s
"movable property"
still a legal term
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Read the full story

Chattel’s story begins in Medieval Latin: capitale meant “property.” From 'caput', head; the same word gave 'cattle' and 'capital'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as chatel. Parisian form, while Norman 'catel' gave 'cattle'. It reached English by 1200s as chattel. Still a legal term. Today, chattel means a personal possession.