'hierocracy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'hierokratia,' where 'hiero-' meant 'sacred' and '-kratia' meant 'power' or 'rule.'

'hierokratia' transformed into the Medieval Latin word 'hierocratia,' and eventually became the modern English word 'hierocracy.'

Initially, it meant 'rule by priests,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.