'appanage-holder' originates from French, specifically the word 'apanage', which itself derives from Medieval Latin 'appanare' where the elements 'ad-' (to/toward) and Latin 'panis' meant 'bread' (i.e., provision).

'appanage-holder' evolved from Old French 'apanage' (from Medieval Latin 'appanare') meaning a provision or allowance; the English noun 'appanage' entered Middle English and later formed the compound noun 'appanage-holder' to denote the recipient of such a grant.

Initially 'apanage' referred to a 'provision' or 'bread allowance', but over time it came to mean a territorial grant or source of revenue given to junior royals; 'appanage-holder' therefore came to mean 'a holder or recipient of such a grant'.