再進壹步，可以追溯到古法語（ from Old French）；
更進壹步，可以追溯到俗拉丁語 vīllānus [封建農奴]（from Vulgar Latin vīllānus [feudal serf]）
最終可追溯到拉丁語 vīlla [鄉村房屋]（ from Latin vīlla [country house]）。
目前能找到的14世紀的例句如下：
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 11557 Goddys treytour, and ry?t vyleyn! Hast ?ou no mynde of Marye Maudeleyn.
1320–30 Horn Ch. (Ritson) 857 The begger answered in that tide, Vilaine, cunestow nought ride?
c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 5471 ?anne he cryde and gan to sayn: ‘Whar art ?ow, Charlis, ?ow vylayn?’