'anigh' originates from Middle English, specifically the combination of the prefix 'a-' (from Old English 'on') and the root 'nigh' (from Old English 'nēah'), where 'a-' meant 'on; in' and 'nigh' meant 'near'.

'anigh' changed from the Old English phrase 'on nēah' through Middle English forms such as 'anigh'/'anighe', and eventually became the modern English word 'anigh' (now archaic/poetic).

Initially, it meant 'near' and also 'to draw near', and these senses have largely remained, though the term has fallen into archaic/poetic use.