'archdeaconess' originates from English formation combining 'archdeacon' and the feminine suffix '-ess'. 'archdeacon' ultimately comes from Medieval Latin 'archidiaconus', and the suffix '-ess' comes via Old French '-esse' from Late Latin '-issa' used to form feminine nouns.

'archdeacon' changed from Medieval Latin 'archidiaconus' (from Greek 'archi-' + 'diakonos') into Old French and then Middle English 'archdeacon'; the feminine form was produced in English by adding the Old French/Latin-derived suffix '-ess', yielding 'archdeaconess' in modern English.

Initially it designated the female counterpart or a woman appointed to supervise deaconesses and related ministries; over time it has become a largely historical or specialized term for a senior female church officer, often found in historical descriptions of church organization.