'artisanry' originates from the English formation of 'artisan' plus the suffix '-ry'. 'Artisan' comes via Old French 'artisan' (ultimately from Latin 'ars' meaning 'skill, art'), and the suffix '-ry' (from Old English/Old French) denotes a practice, condition, or collective.

'artisan' entered Middle English from Old French 'artisan'; in Early Modern English the noun-forming suffix '-ry' was attached to produce 'artisanry', used to indicate either the collective of artisans or the quality/practice of their craft; it has remained in use to refer to craftsmanship or the artisans' trade.

Initially it referred more to the collective group or the condition of being artisans, but over time its principal use shifted toward denoting craftsmanship — the skill and workmanship of artisans.