Etymologically
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trademark

Etymology and origin of the English word trademark

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Compound
First attested
1838
Ultimate origins
Middle Low German (trade)Old English (mearc)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
English trade
English trademark

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈtɹeɪdmɑːk/ (UK); /ˈtɹeɪdmɑɹk/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is from English trade + mark, mark in the sense of a stamp, seal or brand placed on an article to show its owner or origin (mid-13th century).[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

A distinguishing mark or device adopted by a manufacturer and put on its goods, also written trade-mark: 1838 in Etymonline and Merriam-Webster.[2][3] Such marks themselves are found continuously from the 14th century, apparently first as watermarks on paper.[2]

Semantic evolution

By statute in England and the United States the symbol itself came to be recognized and protected as property.[2] The figurative use, a distinctive characteristic by which someone is known, is attested by 1869.[2] The verb is recorded from 1899, implied in trade-marked;[2] Merriam-Webster dates a transitive sense to 1906.[3]

Timeline

  • 14th century – trademarks as watermarks.[2]
  • 1838 – trademark.[2][3]
  • 1869 – figurative use.[2]
  • 1899 – trade-marked.[2]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A name, symbol or device used to identify a product, officially registered and legally restricted to its owner.
  2. A distinctive characteristic by which a person or thing is known.

Verb

  1. To label with a trademark, or to register as a trademark.

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
Cite this entry

“Trademark.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/trademark. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·