How Old Is The Word Marriage?

Marriage, a term with roots in Old English and the Old English word “mægþ,” refers to the state of being united as spouses in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law. The concept of marriage has been present throughout human history, with its earliest known use in the Middle English period (1150-1500). By the 21st century, the nature of marriage in Western countries began to take root, particularly regarding procreation and the ease of divorce.

Marriage was viewed as a way to form alliances and was seen as a way to form a familial bond that is recognized legally, religiously, or socially. The Hebrew word for marriage is ‘nisuin’, which means to carry or marry a woman or wife. The minimum age for marriage under Jewish law is 13 for boys and 12 for girls, but the Talmud recommends that a man marry at age 18, or somewhere between 16 and 24.

The modern English word “marriage” is a 13th-century Old French borrowing derived from Latin marītus, referring generally to the concept of marriage. The word marriage originated around 1300 and likely descended from the Old French word mariage, which comes from marier, meaning marry. Marriage has its origins in the Latin word matrimoniu, meaning mother and the action, state, or condition. The word marriage derives from Middle English mariage, which first appeared in 1250-1300 CE.