'autochthon' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'αὐτόχθων (autóchthōn)', where 'αὐτός (autós)' meant 'self' and 'χθών (khthṓn)' meant 'earth'.

'autochthon' entered English via Latin/Medieval Latin (autochthonus/autochthōn) from Greek; the modern English form 'autochthon' was established, and 'autochton' appears as a less common variant spelling.

Initially it meant 'one sprung from the soil itself' (literally 'self-earth'), and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an indigenous inhabitant' or 'something native to a place'.