Paladin - Etymology

Etymology

The earliest recorded instance of the word paladin in the English language dates to 1592, in a poem written by Samuel Daniel. It entered English through the Middle French word paladin, which itself derived from the Italian paladino. All these words for Charlemagne's Twelve Peers descend ultimately from the Latin palatinus, most likely through the Old French palatin. The Latin palatinus referred to an official of the Roman Emperor connected to the imperial palace on the Palatine Hill; over time this word came to refer to other high-level officials in the imperial, majestic and royal courts. The word palatine, used in various European countries in the medieval and modern eras, has the same derivation.

By the 13th century words referring specifically to Charlemagne's peers began appearing in European languages; the earliest is the Italian paladino. Modern French has paladin, Spanish has paladín or paladino (reflecting alternate derivations from the French and Italian), while German has Paladin. By extension "paladin" has come to refer to any chivalrous hero such as King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table.

Paladin was also used to refer to the leaders of armies supporting the Protestant Frederick V in the Thirty Years War ending in 1648.