'amirship' originates from the Arabic word 'amir', meaning 'commander' or 'leader', combined with the English suffix '-ship', denoting a state or condition.

'amir' was adopted into English from Arabic, and the suffix '-ship' was added to form 'amirship', indicating the state or office of an amir.

Initially, it meant 'the office of a commander', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.