'aristocraticism' originates from Greek via Latin and French, specifically from the Greek word 'aristokratia', where 'aristos' meant 'best' and 'kratos' meant 'power' or 'rule'.

'aristokratia' (Greek) passed into Latin and later Old French as 'aristocratie', then entered English as 'aristocracy'; the adjective 'aristocratic' was formed from 'aristocracy', and the suffix '-ism' was added to create 'aristocraticism' in modern English.

Initially it referred to 'rule by the best' (a notion of rule by the 'best' individuals), but over time it came to mean 'rule or dominance by a privileged or noble class' and also extended to denote 'aristocratic qualities or attitudes'.