Etymology Map
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Herald

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means an official messenger; something that signals what is coming

Where does the word "herald" come from? It comes from Frankish hariwald, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
hariwald
Frankish · ancient
"army commander"
a compound of 'hari', army, and 'wald', rule, like the name Harold
2
Stage 2 of 3
heraut
Old French · medieval
"messenger; officer of arms"
officers who carried messages between armies and managed coats of arms at tournaments
3
Stage 3 of 3
herald
English · 1300s
"a messenger; a sign of something to come"
heraldry, the study of coats of arms, is named after them
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Read the full story

Herald’s story begins in Frankish: hariwald meant “army commander.” A compound of 'hari', army, and 'wald', rule, like the name Harold. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as heraut. Officers who carried messages between armies and managed coats of arms at tournaments. It reached English by 1300s as herald. Heraldry, the study of coats of arms, is named after them. Today, herald means an official messenger; something that signals what is coming.