'unctioner' originates from English formation of the noun 'unction' with the agentive suffix '-er.' 'Unction' in English comes from Old French 'onction' and ultimately from Latin 'unctio', where 'ungere' meant 'to anoint.'

'unctioner' developed in English by adding the agentive suffix '-er' to Middle English 'unction' (from Old French 'onction'), which itself derives from Latin 'unctio' (from 'ungere'). Over time the form stabilized into the modern English 'unctioner.'

Initially connected to the act of 'anointing' (the meaning of 'unction'); the agent form came to mean specifically 'one who performs anointing' and, more rarely, someone with an unctuous or overly pious manner.