'genealogy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'genealogia,' where 'genea' meant 'generation' and 'logos' meant 'study or discourse.'

'genealogia' transformed into the Latin word 'genealogia,' and eventually became the modern English word 'genealogy' through Old French.

Initially, it meant 'the study of family trees,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the study and tracing of lines of descent or development.'