Etymology Map
Back to all words

Heritage

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means valued traditions passed down

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
hereditare
Late Latin · ancient
"to inherit"
from 'heres', heir
2
Stage 2 of 3
eritage
Old French · medieval
"inheritance"
property passed down
3
Stage 3 of 3
heritage
English · 1200s
"inheritance"
'cultural heritage' dates from the 1900s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Heritage’s story begins in Late Latin: hereditare meant “to inherit.” From 'heres', heir. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as eritage. Property passed down. It reached English by 1200s as heritage. 'cultural heritage' dates from the 1900s. Today, heritage means valued traditions passed down.