Etymology Map
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Parish

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a small administrative district with its own church

Where does the word "parish" come from? It comes from Greek paroikia, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
paroikia
Greek · ancient
"district, diocese"
Greek, from 'paroikos', neighbour
2
Stage 2 of 3
paroisse
Old French · medieval
"parish"
came via Late Latin 'parochia'
3
Stage 3 of 3
parish
English · 1300s
"church district"
'parochial' shares the root
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Read the full story

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.