'ill-famed' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'ill' meaning 'bad' and 'famed' meaning 'known or renowned'.

'ill-famed' changed from the Middle English word 'ill' combined with 'famed', and eventually became the modern English word 'ill-famed'.

Initially, it meant 'known for bad reasons', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.