Ombudsman was borrowed from Swedish, where it means "representative," and ultimately derives from the Old Norse words umboth ("commission") and mathr ("man"). Sweden became the first country to appoint an independent official known as an ombudsman to investigate complaints against government officials and agencies.

Where did the ombudsman come from?

What you're referring to is the institution of the ombudsman as an arbiter for the Parliament – instituted in Sweden in 1809. But the original word "ombudsman" is much older. It was used in Scandinavia in medieval times to describe the messenger who relayed the king's message to his local chiefs.

Which country introduced ombudsman?

Originating in Sweden in 1809, an ombudsman is generally regarded as an official body of complaint which protects individuals against abuses of power and maladministration.