Historically, which term was used to describe the first organized group of masons?

The term "guilds" is historically significant when referring to the first organized groups of masons. Guilds were associations of artisans and merchants who controlled the practice of their craft in a particular area. These organizations provided a framework for training apprentices, maintaining standards of quality, and regulating trade practices within the masonry profession.

During the Middle Ages, guilds played a crucial role in the construction industry, particularly in Europe, where masons would band together to protect their trade secrets, share knowledge, and support one another in securing work. Membership in a guild often required a rigorous training process, where skilled craftsmanship was passed down through generations, thereby ensuring that high standards of work were upheld.

The other terms, while related to organized groups in various trades, do not capture the specific historical context of masons in the same way. Associations and fellowships tend to be more informal groups without the same regulatory power or structure as guilds. Unions, on the other hand, evolved later with a focus on labor rights and worker advocacy, rather than the trade-specific control that guilds historically exercised. Thus, "guilds" is the most accurate term to describe these organized groups of masons in history.