Early 17th century; earliest use found in Joshua Sylvester (d. 1618), poet and translator. From post-classical Latin Priscillianus of or relating to Priscillian, use as adjective of Priscillianus, the name of Priscillian.

Early 17th century. From the name of Priscilla + -ian, after Byzantine Greek Πρισκιλλιανός. Compare French Priscillian.