'campanologist' originates from New Latin/Modern English formation, specifically from Latin 'campana', where 'campana' meant 'bell', combined with the Greek-derived element '-logia'/'-logist' meaning 'study'/'one who studies'.

'campanologist' changed from the noun 'campanology' (formed from Latin 'campana' + Greek 'logia' meaning 'study of bells') with the agentive English suffix '-ist' added in modern English to denote a person practicing or studying that field, producing the modern English word 'campanologist'.

Initially related to 'bells' and 'the study of bells' in general; over time the term came to refer specifically to 'a person who studies or rings bells'.