Where does “herr” come from?

herr (Swedish) comes from Swedish herre, from Old Swedish hærre, from Old Norse herri, from Old Saxon hērro, from Old High German hērro, from Proto-Germanic hairaz, from Proto-Indo-European (s)ḱeh₃- — darkness, shadow.

herr (Swedish): Mr., Mister, gentleman, sir (respectful term of address or title for an adult male)

Definitions

  1. Mr., Mister, gentleman, sir (respectful term of address or title for an adult male)

Ancestry of “herr”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Swedishherrea man, a gentleman; a lord, a master; The Lord
2Old Swedishhærre—
3Old Norseherri—
4Old Saxonhērro—
5Old High Germanhērromaster; grey, grey-haired
6Proto-Germanichairazgrey; aged; old; lofty; distinguished
7Proto-Indo-European(s)ḱeh₃-darkness, shadow
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)ḱeh₃- →Every word from Proto-Germanic hairaz →Every word from Old High German hērro →