'ascendance' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ascendere', where 'ad-' meant 'toward' and 'scandere' meant 'to climb'.

'ascendance' changed from Medieval Latin 'ascendentia' and Middle French 'ascendance', entered Middle English in forms like 'ascendence', and eventually became the modern English word 'ascendance'.

Initially, it meant 'the act of climbing or rising', but over time it evolved into its current primary meaning of 'a state of rising to power or dominance'.