'well-known' originates from the combination of 'well' and 'known', where 'well' meant 'in a good or satisfactory way' and 'known' is the past participle of 'know', meaning 'to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information'.

'well-known' evolved from the Old English word 'cnāwan', which meant 'to know', and 'wel', which meant 'well'.

Initially, it meant 'known in a good way', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'widely recognized'.