'archpriestship' originates from English, formed by the prefix 'arch-' (from Greek 'arkhi-') meaning 'chief', the noun 'priest' (from Old English 'preost' via Latin 'presbyter' and Greek 'presbyteros') meaning 'elder/priest', and the suffix '-ship' (from Old English 'scip') meaning 'state or condition'.

'archpriestship' developed as a compound in Middle and Modern English by combining 'arch-' + 'priest' + '-ship'; 'priest' itself comes from Old English 'preost' (from Latin 'presbyter' and Greek 'presbyteros'), while the suffix '-ship' comes from Old English 'scip', and the full compound came into use to denote the office or dignity of an archpriest.

Initially it meant 'the state or office of a chief priest', and this basic meaning has remained stable, now used to refer specifically to the dignity, jurisdiction, or tenure of an archpriest.