'baronet' originates from Middle French, specifically the word 'baronet', where the suffix '-et' meant 'little' and 'baron' meant 'a nobleman'.

'baronet' was borrowed from Middle French 'baronet' and entered English usage; the hereditary title of baronet was created in England in 1611, and the word came to denote that specific rank.

Initially, it meant 'little baron' (a diminutive of 'baron'), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a holder of the hereditary title of baronet', a specific rank below baron.