'ministerialism' originates from English, specifically the word 'ministerial' combined with the suffix '-ism', where 'ministerial' comes from Latin 'minister' meaning 'servant' or 'attendant' and the suffix '-ism' denotes a practice or doctrine.

'ministerialism' developed from the adjective 'ministerial' (from Middle English and Old French forms of Latin 'minister'), with the addition of the productive English suffix '-ism' to form a noun meaning the doctrine or system associated with ministers.

Initially related to 'minister' in the sense of 'servant' or 'attendant', the root evolved to refer to holders of public office (ministers), and 'ministerialism' came to mean 'the system or doctrine of government by ministers' rather than the original 'service' sense.