'penmanship' originates from the English word 'pen' and the suffix '-manship', where 'pen' referred to a writing instrument and '-manship' denoted skill or art.

'penmanship' evolved from the combination of 'pen' and 'manship' in English, maintaining its meaning related to the skill of writing.

Initially, it meant 'the skill of writing with a pen,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.