mason

Where does the word "mason" come from? It comes from Frankish makjo, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Mason’s story begins in Frankish: makjo meant “maker.” Possibly related to 'make', a builder or maker. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as maçon. A builder in stone, working on cathedrals and castles. It reached English by 1200s as mason. Their guilds and lodges later inspired Freemasonry. Today, mason means a builder and worker in stone; a Freemason.

1. Stage 1 · Frankish · ancient makjo "maker", possibly related to 'make', a builder or maker.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval maçon "stoneworker", a builder in stone, working on cathedrals and castles.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s mason "a builder in stone", their guilds and lodges later inspired Freemasonry.