'aerocartograph' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'aero' meaning 'air' and 'kartographia' meaning 'map making'.

'aerocartograph' evolved from the combination of 'aero' and 'cartograph', which were used in scientific contexts to describe maps made from aerial surveys.

Initially, it meant 'map making from the air', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.