Etymology Map
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Peasant

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a poor farmer or rural worker of low social status

Where does the word "peasant" come from? It comes from Latin pagus, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
pagus
Latin · ancient
"country district"
a rural district; the same word gives 'pagan', a country-dweller
2
Stage 2 of 3
paisant
Old French · medieval
"country dweller"
from 'pais', country, modern 'pays'
3
Stage 3 of 3
peasant
English · 1400s
"a poor farm labourer"
later used as a snobbish insult for an uncultured person
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Read the full story

Peasant’s story begins in Latin: pagus meant “country district.” A rural district; the same word gives 'pagan', a country-dweller. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as paisant. From 'pais', country, modern 'pays'. It reached English by 1400s as peasant. Later used as a snobbish insult for an uncultured person. Today, peasant means a poor farmer or rural worker of low social status.