'officiant' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'officiāns' (from 'officiāre'), where 'officium' meant 'service' or 'duty'.

'officiant' changed from Old French/Medieval Latin usage (e.g. Old French present-participle forms) and entered English in a form influenced by these Romance-language usages, eventually becoming the modern English word 'officiant'.

Initially it referred generally to 'performing a duty or service', but over time it narrowed to mean 'a person who performs a religious or civil ceremony'.