'antiquaries' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'antiquarius', where 'antiquus' meant 'old'.

'antiquarius' changed into Old French 'antiquaire' and Middle English 'antiquarie', and eventually became the modern English word 'antiquary' (plural 'antiquaries').

Initially it referred to something 'pertaining to old things' or a 'dealer in antiquities'; over time it came to denote a collector or scholar of antiquities.