'bandurrias' originates from Spanish, specifically the word 'bandurria', which ultimately derives from Latin/Medieval Latin 'pandura' (from Greek 'pandoura'), a term used for a long-necked lute-like instrument.

'bandurrias' changed from Medieval Latin/Old Spanish forms (from Latin 'pandura' and Greek 'pandoura') into Spanish 'bandurria' and was later adopted into English as 'bandurria' with the plural 'bandurrias'.

Initially it meant 'a long-necked lute-like instrument' in ancient/medieval usage; over time the term became applied to the specific Spanish instrument now called the bandurria.