'abbaye' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'abaïe,' where 'ab-' meant 'father' and '-aye' was a suffix used for places.

'abaïe' transformed into the modern French word 'abbaye,' and eventually became the modern English word 'abbey' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'a place for monks or nuns,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.