'non-armorial' originates from Modern English, formed by the negative prefix 'non-' plus the adjective 'armorial', where 'non-' meant 'not' and 'armorial' meant 'of or relating to a coat of arms.'

'armorial' came into English via Old French/Medieval Latin (e.g. Old French 'armorial', Medieval Latin 'armorialis') ultimately related to Latin 'arma' meaning 'arms' or 'weapons'; the compound 'non-armorial' is a Modern English formation negating that adjective.

Initially, 'armorial' meant 'of or relating to coats of arms'; 'non-armorial' thus developed as a straightforward negative formation meaning 'not of or relating to coats of arms,' and this basic meaning has remained stable.