'bailiery' originates from Anglo-Norman/Old French, specifically the word 'bailie' (or Old French 'baillie'), where 'bail-' meant 'custody, charge' or 'to administer'.

'bailiery' changed from Middle English forms such as 'bailerie' or 'bailiery' (borrowed from Anglo-Norman/Old French 'baillie') and eventually became the modern English word 'bailiery' referring to the office or district of a bailiff.

Initially, the root referred broadly to 'custody' or 'charge'; over time it narrowed to mean specifically the office, authority, or district administered by a bailiff.