Etymology Map
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Sturgeon

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means a large fish whose eggs are eaten as caviar

Where does the word "sturgeon" come from? It comes from Frankish sturjo, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
sturjo
Frankish · ancient
"sturgeon"
a Frankish word; the fish swam in North Sea rivers
2
Stage 2 of 3
esturgeon
Old French · medieval
"sturgeon"
royal fish in England, claimed by the Crown
3
Stage 3 of 3
sturgeon
English · 1300s
"sturgeon"
caviar comes from sturgeon roe
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Read the full story

Sturgeon’s story begins in Frankish: sturjo meant “sturgeon.” A Frankish word; the fish swam in North Sea rivers. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as esturgeon. Royal fish in England, claimed by the Crown. It reached English by 1300s as sturgeon. Caviar comes from sturgeon roe. Today, sturgeon means a large fish whose eggs are eaten as caviar.