'liegeman' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'lige' (Old French 'lige'/'liges'), where 'lige' referred to a free-born man or a person owing allegiance (a vassal).

'liegeman' passed into Middle English from Old French as 'ligeman' or 'ligemanne' and eventually became the modern English form 'liegeman'.

Initially, it denoted a free-born man or one with particular rights and obligations under feudal custom; over time it narrowed to mean specifically a vassal bound by fealty or, figuratively, a loyal follower.