'archiepiscopal' originates from Greek and Late Latin, specifically the Greek prefix 'archi-' and the Greek word 'episkopos' via Late Latin 'archiepiscopus', where 'archi-' meant 'chief' and 'episkopos' meant 'overseer' or 'bishop'.

'archiepiscopal' developed from Medieval/Church Latin 'archiepiscopalis' (from 'archiepiscopus') and entered English via ecclesiastical usage, eventually becoming the modern English adjective 'archiepiscopal'.

Initially it meant 'of or relating to an archbishop or his office', and this core meaning has been retained into modern usage.