'porch' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'porche', where that form referred to a covered entrance or portico.

'porch' changed from Old French 'porche' (itself from Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'porticus') and eventually became the modern English word 'porch' through Middle English.

Initially, it referred broadly to a colonnade or covered area ('porticus'), but over time it narrowed in English to mean the sheltered area immediately in front of a house entrance ('porch').