'epigraphology' originates from Greek (via New/Modern Latin), specifically the Greek word 'epigraphē' and the combining form 'logia', where 'epigraphē' meant 'inscription' (from 'epi-' meaning 'on' and 'graphein' meaning 'to write') and 'logia' meant 'study'.

'epigraphology' changed from the Greek word 'epigraphē' to Latin 'epigraphia' and then into scholarly New Latin/modern formations combining 'epigraph-' with '-ology', eventually becoming the modern English word 'epigraphology'.

Initially it referred to an 'inscription' or the notion of an inscription, but over time it evolved into the specialized sense 'the study of inscriptions' (the academic discipline).