attorney (English)
Where does "attorney" come from?
The English noun attorney descends from Middle English 'attourne'[1]. This form ultimately traces back to the Old French 'atorné', which is the past participle of 'atorner', 'atourner', or 'aturner', meaning to attorn[1]. In this historical context, the word originally signified someone appointed or constituted to act on another person's behalf[1]. Over time, the term shifted to encompass legal professionals who advise, represent, or practice for others in legal matters.
Full etymology tree
- attorney (English), 'A lawyer; one who advises or represents others in legal matters as a profession.'
- inherited attourne (Middle English)
- inherited atorné (Old French), 'past participle of atorner'
- derived atorner (Old French), 'to prepare; to ready'
- inherited atorné (Old French), 'past participle of atorner'
- inherited attourne (Middle English)
Ancestors
- atorné (Old French)
Descendants and derived words
- attorney at law (English)
- attorney-at-law (English)
- attorney-client privilege (English)
- attorneydom (English)
- attorney general (English)
- attorney-general (English)
- attorney-in-fact (English)
- attorneyism (English)
- attorney of record (English)
- attorney record (English)
- attorneyship (English)
- cartooney (English)
Sources
Updated August 2026
Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris