Etymology Map
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Stamp

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means a small adhesive label for postage; to press down

Where does the word "stamp" come from? It comes from Frankish stampon, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
stampon
Frankish · ancient
"to pound"
a Frankish word; Old English had a related 'stempan'
2
Stage 2 of 3
estamper
Old French · medieval
"to stamp"
the Stamp Act of 1765 taxed printed paper in the American colonies
3
Stage 3 of 3
stamp
English · 1200s
"to pound"
postage stamps date from 1840
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Read the full story

Stamp’s story begins in Frankish: stampon meant “to pound.” A Frankish word; Old English had a related 'stempan'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as estamper. The Stamp Act of 1765 taxed printed paper in the American colonies. It reached English by 1200s as stamp. Postage stamps date from 1840. Today, stamp means a small adhesive label for postage; to press down.