'footpad' originates from English, specifically a compound of 'foot' and Middle English 'pad', where 'foot' meant 'on foot' and 'pad' meant 'path' or 'way'.

'footpad' developed from Middle English elements such as 'fot' + 'pad' into the modern compound 'footpad' in the late 16th century, used to distinguish robbers who worked on foot from mounted 'highwaymen'.

Initially it denoted specifically a person who robbed on foot (as opposed to a mounted highwayman); over time it became a general term for a street robber and is now largely archaic or literary.