Etymology Map
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Claim

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to state something is true; to demand as one's right

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
clamare
Latin · ancient
"to cry out"
the root of 'clamour' and 'exclaim'
2
Stage 2 of 3
clamer
Old French · medieval
"to call, name"
the root of 'clamour', 'exclaim' and 'proclaim'
3
Stage 3 of 3
claim
English · 1300s
"to demand"
gold rush 'claims' date from the 1850s
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Read the full story

Claim’s story begins in Latin: clamare meant “to cry out.” The root of 'clamour' and 'exclaim'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as clamer. The root of 'clamour', 'exclaim' and 'proclaim'. It reached English by 1300s as claim. Gold rush 'claims' date from the 1850s. Today, claim means to state something is true; to demand as one's right.