'bailiffship' originates from English, specifically formed from the word 'bailiff' and the suffix '-ship'. 'bailiff' derives from Old French 'baillif' (meaning 'administrator, custodian'), and the suffix '-ship' comes from Old English 'scipe' (meaning 'state, condition').

'bailiff' entered Middle English from Old French 'baillif' (related to 'bailli'), and later combined with the Old English-derived suffix '-ship' to produce the modern English formation 'bailiffship'.

Initially, the components referred to an 'administrator/custodian' ('bailiff') and the 'state/condition' ('-ship'); together they have meant the 'office or jurisdiction of a bailiff', and that core sense has been retained into modern usage.