'annal-writer' originates from Modern English compounding of 'annal' and 'writer'. 'annal' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'annales', where 'annus' meant 'year'. 'writer' originates from Old English 'writere' (from 'writan'), where 'writan' meant 'to write'.

'annal' changed from Medieval Latin/French 'annales' and Middle English 'annales' and eventually became the modern English word 'annal'. 'writer' developed from Old English 'writere' (agent noun from 'writan') to modern English 'writer'. The compound 'annal-writer' is a straightforward modern English formation combining these elements.

Initially 'annal' referred to 'yearly records' and the components separately meant 'year' and 'one who writes'; over time the compound came to mean specifically 'a person who writes annals' (i.e., an annalist).