'arcosolium' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'arcosolium', where the elements 'arc-' (from Latin 'arcus') meant 'arch' and 'solium' meant 'seat' or 'throne'.

'arcosolium' passed from Medieval Latin into scholarly and archaeological Latin usage and was adopted into English technical vocabulary (often in the plural 'arcosolia') in descriptions of catacombs and early Christian burial sites.

Initially the components suggested an 'arched seat' or 'arched throne,' but over time the compound came to denote an 'arched recess used for burial' in funerary architecture.