Etymology Map
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Surgeon

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a doctor qualified to perform operations

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
kheirourgia
Greek · ancient
"handwork"
Greek 'kheir', hand, plus 'ergon', work
2
Stage 2 of 3
surgien
Old French · medieval
"surgeon"
reduced from 'cirurgien'
3
Stage 3 of 3
surgeon
English · 1300s
"one who operates"
surgeons were separate from physicians and grouped with barbers until 1745
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Read the full story

Surgeon’s story begins in Greek: kheirourgia meant “handwork.” Greek 'kheir', hand, plus 'ergon', work. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as surgien. Reduced from 'cirurgien'. It reached English by 1300s as surgeon. Surgeons were separate from physicians and grouped with barbers until 1745. Today, surgeon means a doctor qualified to perform operations.