'aristarchy' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'aristarkhia' (from 'aristos' + 'arkhē'), where 'aristos' meant 'best' and 'arkhē' meant 'rule'.

'aristarchy' developed from the Greek compound 'aristarkhia' and entered English as a learned formation analogous to words like 'monarchy' and 'oligarchy', used from the modern period to describe rule by the best or by aristocrats.

Initially it meant 'rule by the best' in a literal Greek sense, and over time the meaning has remained largely the same, used to denote government by aristocrats or elites.