'Spaniard' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'Spaynard', where 'Spayn-' referred to 'Spain' and the suffix '-ard' was used to denote a person from a place.

'Spaynard' transformed from Old French 'Espaignart', and eventually became the modern English word 'Spaniard'.

Initially, it meant 'a person from Spain', and this meaning has remained the same in modern usage.