'conversos' originates from Spanish, specifically the word 'converso', where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'verso' (from Latin 'vertere') meant 'to turn'.

'conversos' changed from Latin 'conversus' (past participle of 'convertere') into Old Spanish 'converso' and eventually into the modern Spanish term 'converso', adopted into English in its plural form 'conversos' for historical reference.

Initially it meant 'turned' or 'converted' (literally 'having been turned'), but over time it evolved into its current specialized meaning of 'people (notably Jewish converts in Iberia) who adopted Christianity, often with connotations of secret adherence to their former faith.'