Maréchal-Ferrant …

Maréchal-ferrant …

The term “Marshal” comes from the Old French “Marhskalk” that comes from common Germanic “Markhaz”, itself derived from the Celtic “markh” (horse), and Germanic skalkaz “servant”,   

Literally: the servant charged with the care of horses, which designated a servant who tended the horses.  The word then took two different meanings, designating the craftsman responsible for shoeing horses, and also the officer in charge of the horses. The word “farrier” was created to distinguish these two trades.

Leave a Reply