'assignability' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'assignare', where 'ad-' (later assimilated to 'as-') meant 'to' and 'signare' meant 'to mark.'

'assignability' developed from Old French 'assigner' (to assign), which came from Latin 'assignare'; the verb entered Middle English (e.g. 'assignen') and modern English formed 'assign' and then created the noun 'assignability' by adding the suffixes '-able' and '-ity'.

Initially, it meant 'to mark out or allot,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the quality of being able to be assigned or transferred.'