Etymology Map
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Marriage

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the legally recognized union of two people as partners

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
maritare
Latin · ancient
"to wed"
from 'maritus', husband, possibly related to 'mas', male
2
Stage 2 of 3
mariage
Old French · medieval
"wedding, union"
under feudal law a lord could control his wards' marriages
3
Stage 3 of 3
marriage
English · 1200s
"legal union of spouses"
gradually displaced Old English 'wedlock'
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Read the full story

Marriage’s story begins in Latin: maritare meant “to wed.” From 'maritus', husband, possibly related to 'mas', male. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as mariage. Under feudal law a lord could control his wards' marriages. It reached English by 1200s as marriage. Gradually displaced Old English 'wedlock'. Today, marriage means the legally recognized union of two people as partners.