English word early comes from Old English ārlīċe

Detailed word origin of early

Dictionary entry	Language	Definition
ārlīċe	Old English (ang)
erli	Middle English (enm)
early	English (eng)	At a time before expected; sooner than usual.. Soon; in good time; seasonably. (informal) A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place early in the day. Arriving a time before expected; sooner than on time.. At a time in advance of the usual or expected event.. Having begun to occur; in its early stages.. Near the start or beginning.