Etymology Map
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Valet

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a man's personal servant

Where does the word "valet" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin vassus, passing through Old French before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
vassus
Medieval Latin · medieval
"servant"
a Celtic word, the same root as 'vassal'
2
Stage 2 of 3
vaslet
Old French · medieval
"young man, servant"
a young man in service to a lord
3
Stage 3 of 3
valet
English · 1500s
"personal servant"
car 'valet' parking dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Valet’s story begins in Medieval Latin: vassus meant “servant.” A Celtic word, the same root as 'vassal'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as vaslet. A young man in service to a lord. It reached English by 1500s as valet. Car 'valet' parking dates from the 1900s. Today, valet means a man's personal servant.