'antiburgher' originates from Modern English, specifically the combining of the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' ἀντί, via Latin/French use) meaning 'against' and 'burgher' (from Middle English 'birgher', itself from Middle Dutch 'burger') meaning 'town citizen'.

'burgher' changed from Middle English 'birgher' (from Middle Dutch 'burger'), and the prefix 'anti-' (originally Greek 'anti') was attached in Modern English; the compound 'antiburgher' arose in 18th-century English to name the faction opposed to the burghers.

Initially it meant 'one opposed to the burgher party/ the taking of the burgess oath' in a specific 18th-century Scottish ecclesiastical context; the term has largely remained a historical label for that faction.