'surrender' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'surrendre,' where 'sur-' meant 'over' and 'rendre' meant 'to give back.'

'surrendre' transformed into the Middle English word 'surrendren,' and eventually became the modern English word 'surrender.'

Initially, it meant 'to give back or return,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to yield or give up.'