mayor

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

Mayor’s story begins in Latin: major meant “greater.” Comparative of 'magnus', great. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as maire. The chief officer of a French town. It reached English by 1300s as mayor. London's first mayor took office around 1189; the spelling was later reshaped after Latin 'major'. Today, mayor means the elected head of a city or town.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient major "greater", comparative of 'magnus', great.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval maire "head of a town", the chief officer of a French town.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s mayor "town official", London's first mayor took office around 1189; the spelling was later reshaped after Latin 'major'.