'protopresbyter' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'protopresbyteros', where 'proto-' meant 'first' and 'presbyter' meant 'elder' or 'priest'.

'protopresbyter' came from Greek 'protopresbyteros' into Late/Medieval Latin (e.g. 'protopresbyter') and was later borrowed into English as 'protopresbyter'.

Initially it meant 'first elder' in Greek, and over time it evolved into the ecclesiastical title meaning 'senior priest' or an honorary rank among presbyters.