'self-govern' originates from the combination of 'self,' meaning 'one's own,' and 'govern,' from Latin 'gubernare,' meaning 'to steer or direct.'

'self-govern' evolved from the Middle English 'governen,' which was influenced by the Old French 'governer,' and eventually became the modern English word 'govern.'

Initially, it meant 'to steer or direct oneself,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.