legacy

Where does the word "legacy" come from? It comes from Latin legatus, passing through Medieval Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

Legacy’s story begins in Latin: legatus meant “ambassador, envoy, deputy.” An ambassador, envoy, or deputy; one sent with a commission. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as legatia. A bequest, the office of a delegate, from legatus. From there it passed into Old French as legaz by medieval. Carried into French for a gift left to someone in a will. It reached English by 1300s as legacy. Settled as the English word for money or property left to someone, or a lasting impact. Today, legacy means something handed down from the past, such as money, property, or a lasting impact.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient legatus "ambassador, envoy, deputy", an ambassador, envoy, or deputy; one sent with a commission.
2. Stage 2 · Medieval Latin · medieval legatia "a bequest, the office of a delegate", a bequest, the office of a delegate, from legatus.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval legaz "a gift left to someone in a will", carried into French for a gift left to someone in a will.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s legacy "money or property left to someone, or a lasting impact from the past", settled as the English word for money or property left to someone, or a lasting impact.