'anti-aristocrat' originates in modern English as a compound formed from the Greek prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') and the word 'aristocrat' (from Greek 'aristokratēs' via Latin/French), where 'aristokratēs' combined 'aristos' ('best') and 'kratos' ('rule, power').

'aristocrat' changed from Greek 'aristokratēs' into Late Latin/Old French forms (e.g. 'aristocrate') and then entered modern English as 'aristocrat'; the prefix 'anti-' (Greek 'anti') was attached in modern English to form the compound 'anti-aristocrat'.

Initially it simply denoted being 'against aristocrats' or 'opposed to aristocracy'; over time it has kept that basic sense and is used to describe people, movements, or attitudes that reject aristocratic privilege or influence.