Etymology Map
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Clergy

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means the body of people ordained for religious duties

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
clericus
Late Latin · ancient
"clergyman"
from Greek 'klēros', a lot or inheritance, since the clergy were God's portion
2
Stage 2 of 3
clergie
Old French · medieval
"learning; the clergy"
meant learning, since clerics were the literate class
3
Stage 3 of 3
clergy
English · 1200s
"ordained church officials"
'clerk' comes from the same word, for a literate person
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Read the full story

Clergy’s story begins in Late Latin: clericus meant “clergyman.” From Greek 'klēros', a lot or inheritance, since the clergy were God's portion. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as clergie. Meant learning, since clerics were the literate class. It reached English by 1200s as clergy. 'clerk' comes from the same word, for a literate person. Today, clergy means the body of people ordained for religious duties.