'bailiffwick' originates from Middle English, specifically a compound of 'bailiff' (from Old French 'baillif'/'bailli', meaning an administrator or custodian) and Old English 'wīc', where 'wīc' meant 'settlement, dwelling, or specialized place'.

'bailiffwick' changed from earlier forms such as Middle English 'bailiwike'/'bailiwic' (and the variant spelling 'bailiwick') and eventually became the modern English word 'bailiffwick'.

Initially, it meant 'the district under a bailiff's authority', but over time it also developed the figurative meaning 'a person's area of expertise or responsibility'.