'unmotherly' originates from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'motherly,' which comes from 'mother,' meaning 'a female parent.'

'Motherly' evolved from the Old English word 'mōdorlic,' which meant 'pertaining to a mother.' The prefix 'un-' was added to form 'unmotherly.'

Initially, 'motherly' meant 'pertaining to a mother,' and 'unmotherly' has consistently meant 'not having the qualities of a mother.'