'hurtfully' originates from English, formed from the adjective 'hurtful' (itself 'hurt' + the suffix '-ful'), where 'hurt' came into Middle English from Old French 'hurter' meaning 'to strike' and the suffix '-ful' originally meant 'full of'.

'hurt' passed into Middle English from Old French 'hurter' (to strike); English then formed the adjective 'hurtful' by adding Old English-derived suffix '-ful' and finally formed the adverb by adding '-ly' to make 'hurtfully'.

Initially related to physical striking or injury ('to strike'), the sense broadened to include causing emotional pain; 'hurtfully' now primarily means 'in a way that causes emotional or moral hurt'.