'antecessor' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'antecessor', where 'ante-' meant 'before' and the root '-cess-' (from 'cedere') meant 'to go'.

'antecessor' came into English via Medieval/Legal Latin (Medieval Latin 'antecessor') and was used in formal, legal, and ecclesiastical contexts before becoming an English term meaning 'predecessor'.

Initially it meant 'one who goes before' (literally a forerunner); over time it evolved into the more specific sense of 'predecessor' — especially someone who previously held an office or position.