'asiarch' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'asiarchus,' where 'Asia' referred to the Roman province 'Asia' and '-archus' (from Greek 'arkhē') meant 'ruler.'

'asiarch' changed from the Greek word 'Ἀσιάρχης' (Asiárkhēs) into Latin 'asiarchus' and eventually became the modern English word 'asiarch.'

Initially, it meant 'ruler or chief officer of the province of Asia,' and this meaning has largely been preserved as a historical title referring to that specific provincial official.