The word 'presbyterian' comes from the Greek word presbuteros, which means 'old person' - hence, elder, indicating that Presbyterians are governed by elected elders.

During the time the Old Testament was written, Jewish Synagogues were governed by elders.  Since the first Christians were Jewish, they carried over this means of self government.  We read in the New Testament that the Apostle Paul supervised the selection of elders for every local church.  Hebrews 13:7 refers to elders in charge of local church affairs.

 

John Calvin, a Catholic theology professor from France, became a protestant leader.  Under heavy pressure, he was forced to leave Paris.  He eventually settled in Geneva, Switzerland in 1541.  He organized four churches in Geneva, which welcomed religious refugees from almost every country in Europe, fleeing Catholic persecution.  Calvin's books, commentaries, and preaching influenced the Reformation all over Europe - and eventually all over the world.

Except where Lutheranism dominated (in Germany) Calvinism became the main force of the Protestant Reformation.  Presbyterianism developed in Germany, France, Netherlands, and the churches were often referred to more generally as the Reformed churches.

Presbyterian and Reformed faith also was strong in Scotland under John Knox; and in northern Ireland, Wales, and England.  Presbyterianism came to U.S. from Scotland, Ireland and England.

The Pilgrims to America were English "Calvinists", called Puritans, who migrated to New England from 1620 to 1640.  The Scotch-Irishman named Francis Makemie (1658-1708), arrived in the U.S. in 1683, and was an evangelist in North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia.  In 1706, he helped organize the first American prebytery, in Philadelphia.