Etymology Map
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Stone

3 stages from Proto-Germanic to English.

Today it means hard solid mineral matter; a piece of rock

Where does the word "stone" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic stainaz, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
stainaz
Proto-Germanic · ancient
"stone"
German 'Stein' is a cousin
2
Stage 2 of 3
stān
Old English · 700s-1000s
"stone"
place names like Stanford, 'stone ford', and Stanley, 'stone clearing', come from it
3
Stage 3 of 3
stone
English · 1500s
"stone"
as a British weight it is now 14 pounds
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Read the full story

Stone’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: stainaz meant “stone.” German 'Stein' is a cousin. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as stān. Place names like Stanford, 'stone ford', and Stanley, 'stone clearing', come from it. It reached English by 1500s as stone. As a British weight it is now 14 pounds. Today, stone means hard solid mineral matter; a piece of rock.