'palaeographic' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'palaios' and 'graphē', where 'palaios' meant 'old/ancient' and 'graphē' meant 'writing'.

'palaios' + 'graphē' produced Medieval/Latin forms (e.g. Latin/Medieval Latin paleographia and Old French paléographie), which entered English as 'palaeography'; the adjective 'palaeographic' was then formed from that noun.

Initially it referred directly to 'ancient writing' and the study of it; over time it has retained that core sense and is used to describe methods, evidence, or features relating to ancient handwriting and manuscripts.