Where does “shoeless” come from?

Shoeless derives from Middle English scholes, though the precise original meaning remains unattested.

shoeless (English): Without shoes; not wearing shoes

Definitions

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	English	shoe	A protective covering for the foot, with a bottom...
2	German	Schuh	shoe
3	Middle High German	schuo	—
4	Old High German	scuoh	shoe
5	Proto-West Germanic	skōh	shoe
6	Proto-Germanic	skōhaz	shoe
7	Proto-Indo-European	skewk-	—
8	Proto-Indo-European	(s)kew-	to caw, to howl; to cover, hide; to cover, hide,...

shoeless — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer