'inscription' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'inscriptio', where 'in-' meant 'in/on' and 'scriptio' (from 'scribere') meant 'writing'.

'inscription' changed from Medieval/Old French and Middle English forms such as 'inscription'/'inscriptioun' (borrowed from Latin 'inscriptio') and eventually became the modern English word 'inscription'.

Initially it referred broadly to 'a writing or something written (often on or into a surface)', and over time it specialized to refer especially to words carved, engraved, or formally written on objects.