Etymology Map
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Family

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a group of parents and children; all descendants of a common ancestor

Where does the word "family" come from? It comes from Latin familia, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
familia
Latin · classical
"household"
from famulus 'servant'; it meant the whole household under the paterfamilias, slaves included
2
Stage 2 of 2
family
English · 1400s
"household; relatives"
first meant the servants of a household; 'parents and their children' became the main sense only in the 1600s
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Read the full story

Family’s story begins in Latin: familia meant “household.” From famulus 'servant'; it meant the whole household under the paterfamilias, slaves included. It reached English by 1400s as family. First meant the servants of a household; 'parents and their children' became the main sense only in the 1600s. Today, family means a group of parents and children; all descendants of a common ancestor.