Marschall
/maʁˈʃal/noun
The German word for a marshal, especially a high-ranking military or ceremonial official.
Did you know?The title ultimately referred to an official responsible for a ruler’s horses before becoming associated with supreme military command and court ceremony.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*marhaz
“Horse or steed”
Early Medieval Period
Old High German
marahscalc
“Horse servant; literally, a person responsible for horses”
8th–9th Century
Old French
mareschal
“Stable official or keeper of horses”
12th–13th Century
Middle French
maréchal
“Marshal; an official whose office had expanded beyond the stables”
14th Century
Middle English
mareschal
“A marshal or high-ranking officer”
Modern German
German
Marschall
“Marshal, military commander, or ceremonial official”