'homage' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'hommage', where 'homm-' meant 'man' and '-age' was a suffix indicating a condition or state.

'hommage' changed from the Old French word 'hommage' and eventually became the modern English word 'homage'.

Initially, it meant 'a feudal ceremony by which a man acknowledged himself the vassal of a lord', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'special honor or respect shown publicly'.