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Where does the word "parish" come from? It comes from Greek paroikia, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "parish" come from? It comes from Greek paroikia, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Parish’s story begins in Greek: paroikia meant “district, diocese.” Greek, from 'paroikos', neighbour. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as paroisse. Came via Late Latin 'parochia'. It reached English by 1300s as parish. 'parochial' shares the root. Today, parish means a small administrative district with its own church.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient paroikia "district, diocese", Greek, from 'paroikos', neighbour.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval paroisse "parish", came via Late Latin 'parochia'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s parish "church district", 'parochial' shares the root.