'arval' likely originates from Old English or Old Norse dialectal roots referring to funeral practices; the exact source is uncertain but the word long appeared in Middle English dialects in forms like 'arvel' or 'arval'.

'arval' appeared in Middle English (recorded forms include 'arvel'/'arval') as a term for a funeral feast and persisted in regional and legal contexts before becoming archaic in modern English.

Initially it referred specifically to the funeral meal or rites associated with a burial; over time the usage remained narrowly focused and then fell out of general use, so today it is considered archaic.