Etymology Map
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Gallon

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a unit of liquid volume

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
galleta
Medieval Latin · medieval
"jug, bowl"
used as a measure of wine; it may come from a Gaulish word 'galla', vessel
2
Stage 2 of 3
galon
Old French · medieval
"liquid measure"
Norman French form
3
Stage 3 of 3
gallon
English · 1200s
"liquid measure"
the US and UK gallons differ
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Read the full story

Gallon’s story begins in Medieval Latin: galleta meant “jug, bowl.” Used as a measure of wine; it may come from a Gaulish word 'galla', vessel. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as galon. Norman French form. It reached English by 1200s as gallon. The US and UK gallons differ. Today, gallon means a unit of liquid volume.