'archaeolater' originates from Greek, specifically the combining form 'archaeo-' from 'arkhaios' meaning 'ancient', and the element '-later' derived from Greek 'latreia' meaning 'worship'.

'archaeolater' was formed in modern English by combining the prefix 'archaeo-' (via Greek through Latin/modern scholarly formation) with the agentive element from 'latreia' (seen in nouns like 'latry'/'-later'), evolving from earlier formations such as 'archaeolatry' and becoming the modern English noun 'archaeolater'.

Initially it meant 'a worshipper of ancient things' (a practitioner of archaeolatry); over time it has been used more broadly to describe anyone with an excessive reverence for the past or ancient ways.