'fearless' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'fǣr,' where 'fǣr' meant 'sudden danger or peril.'

'fǣr' transformed into the Middle English word 'fer,' and eventually became the modern English word 'fear' with the suffix '-less' added to denote absence of fear.

Initially, it meant 'without sudden danger,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'lacking fear.'