'tally' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'taille'/'tailler', where the root meant 'a cutting' or 'to cut'.

'tally' changed from a medieval English/Anglo-French term for a 'notched stick' (used as a counting token) and eventually became the modern English word 'tally' with senses of 'record of numbers' and 'to count'.

Initially, it meant 'a cut or notch used as a token for counting', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a recorded count' or the act 'to count/add up'.