'archy' ultimately originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'ἀρχή' (arkhē), where 'arkhē' meant 'beginning, rule, authority'.

'archy' entered English as a combining form via Late Latin and Old French forms (e.g. Medieval Latin/'-archia', Old French '-archie'), deriving from Greek 'ἀρχή' and later becoming the English suffix '-archy'.

Initially the Greek root 'ἀρχή' meant 'beginning' and 'rule/authority'; over time in English the element developed specifically into the sense 'rule or form of government' as a suffix.