'baronet' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'baronet', a diminutive of 'baron' where the suffix '-et' indicated 'little' or 'junior'. The English hereditary title 'baronet' was established in the early 17th century (1611) by King James I.

'baronet' developed from Old French 'baronet' (diminutive of 'baron') via Anglo-Norman and entered English usage; the institutional title was created in the 17th century and the derived verb and nominal forms (such as 'baroneting') are later formations based on the title.

Initially it carried the sense of 'little baron' (a diminutive of 'baron'); over time it became the name for a distinct hereditary rank below barons in the British nobility, and related verbal/noun derivatives came to mean 'to grant such a title' or 'the act of granting such a title'.