'non-heraldic' originates from English, formed by the prefix 'non-' (meaning 'not') + the adjective 'heraldic'.

'heraldic' stems from 'herald' + suffix '-ic'. 'herald' entered English from Old French (e.g. 'heraut'/'herald'), itself from Proto-Germanic roots such as *hariwald (army + rule), passed through Middle English forms like 'heraud'/'herald', and 'heraldic' developed in later English to denote relation to heralds and their symbols.

Initially, 'herald' meant an official messenger and 'heraldic' pertained to heralds; over time 'heraldic' came to mean specifically 'relating to coats of arms and heraldry'. 'Non-heraldic' now means 'not relating to heraldry'.