'archpresbyter' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'arkhi-' and 'presbyteros', where 'arkhi-' meant 'chief' and 'presbyteros' meant 'elder'.

'archpresbyter' passed into Medieval Latin as 'archipresbyter' and into Middle English (e.g. 'archepresbiter'/'archpresbyter'), eventually becoming the modern English form 'archpresbyter'.

Initially, it meant 'chief elder' (a leading elder of the church); over time it came to denote specifically a 'chief priest' or ecclesiastical officer who supervises presbyters.