'monarchal' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'monarkhēs' and the noun 'monarchia', where the prefix 'mono-' meant 'single' and the root 'arkh-' (from 'arkhein') meant 'to rule'.

'monarchal' evolved via Late Latin 'monarchia' and Middle French/Medieval Latin forms into Middle English 'monarchy' and later formed the adjective 'monarchal' (alongside the variant 'monarchical').

Initially it referred to the idea of 'rule by one' (a single ruler); over time it came to mean 'relating to a monarch or monarchy' and also acquired the nuance of 'supporting monarchical rule' in political contexts.