'unruly' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'unruli,' where 'un-' meant 'not' and 'ruli' meant 'orderly or controlled.'

'unruli' transformed into the modern English word 'unruly' through the influence of Old Norse 'rūligr,' meaning 'orderly.'

Initially, it meant 'not orderly or controlled,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.