'counter' originates from Old French and Latin: for the 'oppose' sense from Old French 'contre' (from Latin 'contra', meaning 'against'), and for the 'table/surface' sense from Old French 'comptoir' (from Medieval Latin 'computatorium', from Latin 'computare', meaning 'to reckon').

'counter' changed from Old French 'contre' and 'comptoir' through Middle English forms like 'countre' and 'countour/counter', and eventually became the modern English word 'counter'.

Initially, it meant 'against' (as an adverb) and 'a counting table', and over time it extended to meanings such as 'to oppose' (verb) and 'a shop/kitchen surface' (noun).