'antechapel' is formed from the Latin prefix 'ante' (meaning 'before') combined with 'chapel', which derives from Late Latin 'capella' via Old French 'chapele'.

'antechapel' arose in Middle English as a compound of 'ante' + 'chapel' (with 'chapel' coming from Old French 'chapele' and ultimately Late Latin 'capella'), and was used in ecclesiastical architecture to denote the space before a chapel or choir.

Initially it denoted a literal 'before-chapel' space (a porch or antechamber attached to a chapel); this basic sense has been retained, though its use is now chiefly specialized and architectural.