<P> The modern petty officer dates back to the Age of Sail . Petty officers rank between naval officers ( both commissioned and warrant ) and most enlisted sailors . These were men with some claim to officer rank , sufficient to distinguish them from ordinary ratings , without raising them so high as the sea officers . Several were warrant officers , in the literal sense of being appointed by warrant , and like the warrant sea officers , their superiors , they were usually among the specialists of the ship 's company . The Oxford English Dictionary suggests that the title derives from the Anglo - Norman and Middle French `` petit '' , meaning `` of small size , small , little '' . </P>
<P> The modern petty officer dates back to the Age of Sail . Petty officers rank between naval officers ( both commissioned and warrant ) and most enlisted sailors . These were men with some claim to officer rank , sufficient to distinguish them from ordinary ratings , without raising them so high as the sea officers . Several were warrant officers , in the literal sense of being appointed by warrant , and like the warrant sea officers , their superiors , they were usually among the specialists of the ship 's company . The Oxford English Dictionary suggests that the title derives from the Anglo - Norman and Middle French `` petit '' , meaning `` of small size , small , little '' . </P>
where did the name petty officer come from
where did the name petty officer come from
from the Anglo - Norman and Middle French `` petit '' , meaning `` of small size , small , little ''
from the Anglo - Norman and Middle French `` petit '' , meaning `` of small size , small , little ''