castellan

The story

1. Latin · derived fromcastellanus“pertaining to a castle, an occupant of a castle, or a governor of a castle”
2. Old French · derived fromcastelain
3. Middle English · inherited fromcastelain
4. English todaycastellan

From Middle English castelain, from Old French castelain (compare modern châtelain), from Latin castellanus (“pertaining to a castle, an occupant of a castle, or a governor of a castle”), from castellum castle, citadel, diminutive of castrum fortified place. See castle. By surface analysis, Old French castel + -an and castle + -an. Doublet of Castilian, castellano, castellanus, and chatelain /chatelaine.

Words from the same roots