'archdapifership' originates from Medieval Latin/Latin elements: 'arch-' (from Greek 'arkhē', meaning 'chief' or 'principal') combined with Latin 'dapifer' (literally 'feast-bearer').

'dapifer' comes from Latin 'dapifer' (from 'daps' meaning 'feast' + '-fer' meaning 'bearer'). The compound 'archdapifer' (chief dapifer) appears in Medieval Latin and was carried into Middle English usage in contexts describing high household officers; the nominal abstract formed with '-ship' yielded 'archdapifership' to denote the office or jurisdiction.

Initially it literally referred to a 'feast-bearer' or someone who bore/served at feasts; over time the word 'dapifer' came to mean a steward or household officer, and 'archdapifership' came to mean the office, rank, or authority of such a chief steward.