'archdeacon' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'arkhi-diákonos', where 'arkhi-' meant 'chief' and 'diákonos' meant 'servant' or 'deacon'.

'archdeacon' passed into Late Latin as 'archidiaconus', then into Old French (e.g. 'archedeacon'/'archidiacre') and Middle English before becoming the modern English 'archdeacon'.

Initially it meant 'chief servant' or 'chief deacon' (literally 'chief deacon'); over time it evolved into the ecclesiastical title for a senior church official responsible for administrative oversight within a diocese.