'auntship' originates from English, specifically formed by the noun 'aunt' plus the suffix '-ship', where 'aunt' ultimately comes from Old French 'ante' (from Latin 'amita') and the suffix '-ship' comes from Old English 'scip' meaning 'state, condition'.

'aunt' changed from Old French 'ante' (also attested as 'aunte') borrowed from Latin 'amita', and the productive Old English suffix '-ship' (from 'scip') was later used to form the modern English compound 'auntship'.

Initially, 'aunt' specifically referred to 'a father's sister' (Latin 'amita'), and '-ship' indicated a condition or status; over time the combined form has meant the general 'state of being an aunt', a meaning that has remained relatively stable.