'archiepiscopacy' originates from Late Latin, specifically the word 'archiepiscopatus', where 'archi-' meant 'chief' and 'episcopus' meant 'overseer'.

'archiepiscopacy' changed from Medieval Latin 'archiepiscopatus' (and Old French/Medieval English forms such as 'archiepiscopacie') and eventually became the modern English word 'archiepiscopacy'.

Initially, it meant 'the office of a chief overseer', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the office or jurisdiction of an archbishop'.