'apiarian' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'apiarius', where 'apis' meant 'bee'.

'apiarian' changed from the Medieval Latin word 'apiarius' (related to 'apiary') and was formed in English by adding the suffix '-an' to denote relation, eventually becoming the modern English word 'apiarian'.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to bees or beekeeping', but over time it also became used as a noun meaning 'a beekeeper'.