Etymology Map
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Mustang

3 stages from Spanish to English.

Today it means a small wild or half-wild horse of the American West

Where does the word "mustang" come from? It comes from Spanish mesta, passing through Mexican Spanish before entering English (1800s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
mesta
Spanish · medieval
"stockmen's guild"
the powerful guild of Castilian sheep and cattle owners, which rounded up stray animals
2
Stage 2 of 3
mesteño
Mexican Spanish · 1600s
"stray animal"
a stray, ownerless animal, belonging to the 'mesta'
3
Stage 3 of 3
mustang
American English · 1800s
"wild horse"
first recorded in 1808; descended from horses brought by the Spanish
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Read the full story

Mustang’s story begins in Spanish: mesta meant “stockmen's guild.” The powerful guild of Castilian sheep and cattle owners, which rounded up stray animals. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Mexican Spanish as mesteño. A stray, ownerless animal, belonging to the 'mesta'. It reached English by 1800s as mustang. First recorded in 1808; descended from horses brought by the Spanish. Today, mustang means a small wild or half-wild horse of the American West.