'archpatriarch' is an English compound formed from the combining prefix 'arch-' (from Greek 'arkhē'/'arkhos' meaning 'chief' or 'principal') and 'patriarch' (from Greek 'patriarkhēs' meaning 'father-ruler').

'patriarch' entered English via Latin 'patriarcha' from Greek 'patriarkhēs' ('patēr' = 'father' + 'arkhē/arkhos' = 'rule, leader'). The prefix 'arch-' has been used in English since Old English and via Greek/Latin combining forms; 'archpatriarch' is a relatively modern English formation combining these elements to mean the chief patriarch.

The original components carried the sense 'chief' + 'father-ruler'; over time the compound retained that sense and is used to denote the highest-ranking patriarchal figure.