'awhirl' originates from Old English elements: the prefix 'a-' (from Old English 'on, in') combined with 'whirl', which comes from Old English 'hweorfan', specifically the root 'hweorfan' meaning 'to turn'.

'whirl' developed from Old English 'hweorfan' (to turn); in Middle English forms like 'whirlen' appeared, and adding the prefix 'a-' produced forms such as 'awhirlen' or 'awhirl', eventually yielding modern 'awhirl'.

Initially it meant 'in a turning or spinning condition' (literally 'on/ in a turn'), and over time the sense broadened to include figurative meanings like 'in a state of excited confusion'—the core idea of being turned or tossed about remains.