Etymology Map
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Hierarchy

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a system in which people or things are ranked one above another

Where does the word "hierarchy" come from? It comes from Greek hierarkhia, passing through Medieval Latin before entering English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
hierarkhia
Greek · ancient
"sacred rule"
'hieros', sacred, plus 'arkhein', to rule; Pseudo-Dionysius described nine ranks of angels
2
Stage 2 of 3
hierarchia
Medieval Latin · medieval
"church ranks"
applied to the ranks of clergy
3
Stage 3 of 3
hierarchy
English · 1600s
"a system of ranking"
broadened to any system of ranks
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Read the full story

Hierarchy’s story begins in Greek: hierarkhia meant “sacred rule.” 'hieros', sacred, plus 'arkhein', to rule; Pseudo-Dionysius described nine ranks of angels. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as hierarchia. Applied to the ranks of clergy. It reached English by 1600s as hierarchy. Broadened to any system of ranks. Today, hierarchy means a system in which people or things are ranked one above another.