'figurehead' originates from the combination of 'figure' and 'head', where 'figure' meant 'a representation' and 'head' referred to the 'front part of a ship'.

'figurehead' changed from the Middle English word 'figourhede' and eventually became the modern English word 'figurehead'.

Initially, it meant 'a carved figure on a ship', but over time it evolved to also mean 'a nominal leader without real power'.