'record-keeper' originates from English as a compound of two elements: 'record' and 'keeper'. 'Record' ultimately comes from Latin 'recordari' (from re- 'again' + cor/cord 'heart') via Old French and Middle English, where it meant 'to remember' or 'a thing recalled'. 'Keeper' comes from Old English 'cēpan' (to seize, hold) with the agentive suffix '-er', meaning 'one who keeps or holds'.

'record-keeper' developed from the earlier English phrase 'keeper of records' (Middle/Modern English), which was later condensed and commonly written as the hyphenated compound 'record-keeper' and used for the person or office that keeps records.

Initially, 'record' was associated with remembering or a thing recalled, and 'keeper' denoted someone who holds or guards; over time the compound evolved into the specific modern meaning 'a person or office that maintains official records and documents.'