'bannerole' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'baniere'/'banere' (banner) combined with the diminutive suffix '-ole' meaning 'small'.

'bannerole' changed from Old French 'banerole' into Middle English forms such as 'bannerol' and eventually became the modern English 'bannerole'.

Initially, it meant 'little banner' (a small flag or pennant), and this core meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.