'baronetship' originates from English, specifically by combining 'baronet' and the suffix '-ship', where 'baronet' comes from French 'baronnet' (a diminutive of 'baron') meaning 'little baron' and '-ship' meant 'state or condition'.

'baronet' developed from Old French 'baronnet' (diminutive of 'baron') into Early Modern English as 'baronet', and 'baronetship' was later formed in English by adding the suffix '-ship' to indicate the condition or rank.

Initially, it meant 'the rank or dignity of a baronet', and over time it has retained that primary meaning with little change.