An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Pfarrer

by Friedrich Kluge

Pfarrer, m., ‘clergyman, minister,’ MidHG. pfarrœre, OHG. pfarrâri, a G. derivative of pfarra. Note that the word is not based on MidLat. parochus (Ital. parroco), ‘priest.’ There also exists a later variant, Pfarr, MidHG. pfarre, m.; hence the derivative Pfarrei (Suab. and Bav.).