'hitherto' originates from Old English, specifically the phrase 'hider tō' (or 'hither to'), where 'hider' meant 'to this place' and 'tō' meant 'to'.

'hitherto' changed from the Old English phrase 'hider tō' into Middle English forms such as 'hitherto' and eventually became the modern English word 'hitherto'.

Initially, it meant 'to this place' (spatial), but over time it evolved into its current temporal meaning of 'until now' or 'up to this time'.