'distressfully' originates from English, specifically formed from the adjective 'distressful' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'.

'distressful' developed from the noun 'distress' combined with the suffix '-ful'; 'distress' came into English from Old French 'destresse' (or 'distresse') and ultimately from Latin 'districtus', the past participle of 'distringere' ('to draw tight').

Initially the root referred to being 'drawn tight' or 'under strain' (Latin sense), then came to mean 'severe suffering or anxiety' (Middle English/Old French), and now the adverb means 'in a manner that shows or causes distress'.