'Englishist' originates from English, specifically the word 'English' plus the suffix '-ist' (from Late Latin/Greek via Old French) meaning 'one who practices or is concerned with'.

'Englishist' was formed in modern English by combining 'English' (from Old English 'Englisc', relating to the Angles) with the productive suffix '-ist' (from Medieval and Modern usage such as 'artist', 'specialist'), resulting in the modern coinage 'Englishist'.

Initially a straightforward formation meaning 'one associated with English', its usage has come to cover both neutral professional senses (specialist in English) and critical senses (advocate of English dominance).