'churchman' originates from Middle English, formed by combining 'church' and 'man'; 'church' ultimately derives from Old English 'cirice' (from Late Greek 'kyriakon' meaning 'of the Lord'), and 'man' originates from Old English 'mann' meaning 'person'.

'churchman' appeared in Middle English (variants such as 'chirchman') to mean a man associated with the church, and the form evolved into the modern English 'churchman'.

Initially it meant 'a man belonging to or associated with the church'; over time the sense narrowed or specialized to refer to 'a clergyman' and also broadened in some contexts to mean 'an active or influential church supporter/official'.