'ascendence' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ascendere', where 'ad-' (later assimilated) meant 'to' and 'scandere' (scand-/scend-) meant 'to climb'.

'ascendere' passed into Medieval and Middle English forms related to 'ascend' (via Old French and Anglo-Norman influences), and the noun form developed in English as 'ascendence' (alongside variant spellings such as 'ascendance' and related nouns like 'ascendancy').

Initially it referred to literal climbing or upward movement ('to climb'), but over time it evolved to include figurative meanings such as rising in rank, influence, or power ('rising to dominance').