Surname MacKey - Meaning and Origin
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read moreMacKey: What does the surname MacKey mean?
The surname MacKey is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Aodha," meaning "son of Aodh." Aodh was a popular Celtic name, meaning "fire," which makes MacKey potentially signify “son of fire.” It is commonly found in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where it was initially used by members of clans, including Clan Mackay of Scotland. Variations of the surname MacKey exist, including McKay, MacCay, McGee, etc. Due to its origin, individuals with the MacKey surname have often been linked to Celtic and Gaelic ancestry. However, given the dissemination of Celtic people throughout history and the Anglicisation of names, it may not always indicate direct Celtic or Gaelic lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKey: Where does the name MacKey come from?
The surname MacKey is of Irish origin and comes from the Gaelic name MacAodha, which means "son of Aodh", Aodh being a name that means "fire". It shares this origin with Hughes, McCay, and many other variants. The MacKeys are primarily descended from the northern Irish county Donegal where the name was very common.
Today, the surname MacKey continues to be common in Ireland, particularly in its region of origin. However, due to the large Irish diaspora over the centuries, the name has spread to various parts of the world. It is common in other English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. The surname has many variations in its spelling, including MacKay, Mackay, Makee, and McCoy, and these variations can also be found globally.
Variations of the surname MacKey
The surname MacKey has its origins in Scotland and Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Aodh" meaning "fire" and the suffix "Mac" suggesting "son of". Thus, it roughly translates to "son of Fire". Several variants of this surname developed over time due to regional pronunciations and transcriptions.
In English, variations of the surname include Mackie, Mackey, M’Akey, Macke, Makie, Makey, and Mackye. Scottish surnames like MacKay, McKay, McKie, and McKee are sometimes considered variants as they share similar origins and pronunciations.
Irish variants of the surname due to Gaelic roots are sometimes spelled as Magee, Maggee, MacGee, McGee and Magie. This surname is common in County Antrim in Northern Ireland.
The anglicized version of the surname for those living in County Monaghan, Ireland, is usually McAy or McCay.
These variations in spelling have led to several distinct but related surnames existing today.
Famous people with the name MacKey
- Trey Parker (born Randolph Severn Parker III): An American animator, writer, director, producer, singer, and songwriter known for co-creating South Park. He often goes by the pseudonym "Trey Parker III" or "Trey Parker Mackey".
- Joel Mackey: A popular Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s.
- John Mackey: A former American football tight end who played for Baltimore Colts and San Diego Chargers in the NFL. He is also co-founder and former CEO of Whole Foods Market.
- Lee Mackey: An American basketball player who played for Pittsburgh Ironmen in the Basketball Association of America (BAA).
- Sir William Mackey: A British surgeon known for his work in the development of ultrasonography.
- Scott Mackey: A well-known Canadian ice hockey player who played for American Hockey League (AHL).
- Albert Mackey: A famous American medical doctor and author known for his work on the history and symbolism of Freemasonry.
- Avis Mackey: A well-known actress in black-and-white American silent films during the 1920s.
- Nate Mackey: An American poet, novelist, anthologist, literary critic and editor. He won the National Book Award for Poetry in 2006.