Late 16th century; earliest use found in Acts of Parliament of Scotland. Probably partly from Middle French, French officialité jurisdiction or court of an ecclesiastical judge, office of an official from official + -ité, partly from post-classical Latin officialitas willingness to serve, dutifulness, office, jurisdiction, or dignity of an ecclesiastical judge (frequently from 1200 in British sources) from classical Latin officiālis + -tās, and partly from either official or official + -ity.