'archdeaconate' originates from the formation of 'archdeacon' + the suffix '-ate' (forming nouns denoting office or jurisdiction). 'Archdeacon' itself comes from Late Latin 'archidiaconus' and Greek 'arkhidiakonos' where 'arkhi-' meant 'chief' and 'diakonos' meant 'servant' or 'deacon'.

'archdeaconate' developed from Medieval Latin 'archidiaconatus' (the office or jurisdiction of an 'archidiaconus'), passed through Old French and Middle English forms (e.g. Old French archidiaconé / Middle English archdekenat), and eventually became the modern English 'archdeaconate'.

Initially it referred to the office or jurisdiction associated with an archdeacon in medieval church organization; over time the primary senses (office, jurisdiction, and period of tenure) have largely been retained in modern usage.