'southern-dwelling' originates from the combination of 'southern,' meaning 'of or relating to the south,' and 'dwelling,' meaning 'a place of residence.'

'Southern' and 'dwelling' have been used in English since the Middle Ages, with 'southern' deriving from Old English 'sūþerne' and 'dwelling' from Old English 'dwellan.'

Initially, 'southern' referred to the direction or region, and 'dwelling' referred to living or residing. The combined term 'southern-dwelling' specifically describes living in the southern part of a region.