'mace-bearer' is a compound of 'mace' and 'bearer'. 'mace' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'masse', where 'masse' meant 'club' or 'lump'. 'bearer' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'beara' (from the verb 'beran'), where 'beran' meant 'to carry'.

'mace' came into English via Old French 'masse' (from Latin 'massa'), appearing in Middle English as 'masse'/'mace'; 'bearer' comes from Old English 'beraer' (from the verb 'beran'). These elements were combined in Modern English to form the compound 'mace-bearer'.

Initially the components referred literally to a 'carrier of a mace' (whether weapon or club). Over time the compound has remained close to that original sense but is now most commonly used for the ceremonial role (a symbol of authority) rather than the strictly martial role.