Etymology Map
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Territory

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an area of land under one ruler

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
territorium
Latin · ancient
"land around a town"
from 'terra', land
2
Stage 2 of 3
territoire
Old French · medieval
"territory"
a region under a ruler
3
Stage 3 of 3
territory
English · 1400s
"region"
'territorial waters' date from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Territory’s story begins in Latin: territorium meant “land around a town.” From 'terra', land. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as territoire. A region under a ruler. It reached English by 1400s as territory. 'territorial waters' date from the 1800s. Today, territory means an area of land under one ruler.